Japanese Semiconductor Firm Rapidus Challenges TSMC with 2nm Process, Possible Adoption by NVIDIA

Rapidus is making waves in the semiconductor industry as the first Japanese company to venture into 2nm trial production, incorporating ASML’s advanced EUV technology. This strategic move could potentially secure Rapidus a place in NVIDIA’s elite supply chain.

## Rapidus Aims for 2nm Production Milestone by 2025 with Full Production by 2027, Following TSMC’s Lead

Taking a broad view of the semiconductor industry, TSMC stands as a leader, capturing substantial orders from tech behemoths around the globe. In contrast, rivals like Intel Foundry and Samsung have been plagued by internal challenges, putting TSMC in an advantageous position. But Rapidus, an emerging name in the semiconductor scene, has caused a stir by announcing the installation of ASML’s EUV scanners in its Japanese facility. This strategic step towards 2nm production indicates that Rapidus is gearing up to challenge TSMC’s dominance.

According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Rapidus plans to complete the installation of ASML’s EUV technology by late December. This marks a significant leap forward for Japan’s tech landscape, as the nation joins the ranks of those receiving ASML’s state-of-the-art machinery. Rapidus is poised to start its 2nm trial production by April 2025, with full commercial production projected to begin by 2027.

An image (source: IEEE Spectrum) showcasing the sophisticated inner workings of an ASML EUV machine provides a glimpse into the technology Rapidus is integrating.

Interestingly, NVIDIA has long sought an additional semiconductor ally beyond its established partnership with TSMC but hadn’t found a suitable candidate until now. With Rapidus delivering strong yield rates and node performance, NVIDIA has expressed interest in potentially partnering with them for its 2nm chips. Given the global tech leader’s need to expand its supply chain, partnering with an emerging contender like Rapidus seems like a logical step, provided they meet expectations.

Rapidus has already caught the attention of industry leaders with its 2nm technology. IBM has shown interest, and other companies have signaled enthusiasm for sourcing semiconductors from this Japanese firm. The road ahead for Rapidus holds promise, and it’s plausible to predict that they might soon vie with heavyweights such as TSMC in the semiconductor race.