[News] Rapidus Unveils 2nm Progress: Prototypes Begin, EUV Exposure Done 3 Months after Delivery

Japan’s Rapidus hit a key milestone on its path to 2nm mass production by 2027, as it announced on July 18 that prototyping has begun for its 2nm gate-all-around (GAA) chips at the IIM-1 foundry in Chitose, Hokkaido. The company also confirmed that initial test wafers have entered electrical testing, as per its press release.

EUV Plans

Bloomberg, citing Rapidus CEO Atsuyoshi Koike, suggests that the success was driven by the swift installation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment. Koike highlighted the achievement, saying that there’s no precedent in the world for completing a successful EUV exposure just three months after equipment delivery.

Rapidus received its first EUV lithography machine at New Chitose Airport in December 2024—the first of its kind in Japan, according to Nikkei. On April 1, the company successfully completed EUV exposure, approximately three months after the equipment was delivered, as noted in its press release.

Backed by government support, the company plans to install a total of 10 EUV tools at its advanced chip plants, reports Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.

In addition, by the end of FY25, Rapidus plans to deliver a Process Design Kit (PDK) to customers, allowing them to begin designing their own chips, Bloomberg suggests.

Sub-1nm in Horizon?

Notably, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun, IBM aims to develop sub-1nm chips within the next few years and could rely on Rapidus for mass production. IBM’s Semiconductors GM, Mukesh Khare, revealed that about 10 engineers have been dispatched to Rapidus’ Hokkaido plant to fully support its push for 2nm mass production by 2027, the report adds.

However, before securing major external clients, Rapidus still faces mounting challenges. Bloomberg notes that while the government strongly supports Rapidus as a key counterbalance to TSMC’s dominance, a weaker ruling party in the upcoming House of Councillors election on the 20th could spark renewed debate over that support.

According to MoneyDJ, in addition to the planned JPY 100 billion investment, the Japanese government has already decided to provide approximately JPY 1.72 trillion in support to Rapidus. As a condition, the government is reportedly planning to require a “golden share” in the company—a special type of share that grants veto power over key management decisions.

Read more

• [News] Fujitsu Taps TSMC for 2nm CPU, But Flags Rapidus as Key to Supply Chain Diversification
• [News] Rapidus Reportedly to Begin 2nm Trial Production in April, Chip Prototypes Expected by July

(Photo credit: Rapidus)