[News] Samsung Reportedly Outsourcing Low-End Photomasks, Focusing Resources on ArF and EUV

According to The Elec, Samsung plans to outsource the production of photomasks used in memory chip manufacturing. Until now, the company has produced all photomasks in-house to prevent technology leakage. The Elec states that Samsung is reportedly evaluating potential suppliers for lower-end photomasks, such as i-line and KrF.

At the same time, sources said Samsung plans to outsource i-line and KrF photomasks in order to reallocate those resources toward ArF and EUV. As the report highlights, ArF and EUV photomasks are more advanced and will be key to strengthening Samsung’s technological competitiveness.

Samsung is stepping up efforts to replace Japan-dependent ArF blank masks with domestically produced alternatives, according to sources cited by Business Korea. In addition, the report states that Samsung is also working to localize other Japan-dependent materials, such as EUV pellicles.

Meanwhile, the i-line and KrF photomask suppliers Samsung is reportedly evaluating include Tekscend Photomask, a subsidiary of Japan’s Toppan Holdings, and PKL, which is owned by U.S.-based photomask company Photronics. The evaluation process is ongoing and is reportedly expected to be completed in the third quarter, the report notes.

Rising Photomask Demand Driven by Advanced Node Development

Photomasks are classified by wavelength, with EUV using a 13.5nm wavelength, which is currently the most advanced technology and capable of patterning the smallest features, according to The Elec.

As chips become more advanced and circuit patterns shrink, the number of required photomasks continues to grow. For instance, in logic chips, the number of masks is expected to rise from 67 at the 10nm node to 78 at 1.75nm. In the past, DRAM production required around 30 to 40 masks, but that number now exceeds 60, as noted by The Elec.

The Elec states that South Korea’s photomask market is valued at around KRW 700 billion, with a utilization rate above 90%, and that rising demand from Chinese fabless semiconductor companies is driving this growth.

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(Photo credit: Samsung)