ASML

Did you know that it’s been more than 20 years since ASML shipped its first extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system? EUV is already used to manufacture today's advanced chips, and High NA EUV is poised to enable the next generation. But before any of that, there were the Alpha Demo Tools. These prototypes were critical for collaborating with industry partners to further develop EUV and ready it for commercialization. Together, we pushed technology to new limits, and the results are all around us – maybe even in the device you're using to read this post.

How small is small, really? 🤔 As the demand for faster, more powerful and energy-efficient microchips grows, the chip industry is entering the 'angstrom' era of node scaling. So what does our nanoscopic world look like? 🔍

Hold onto your phones: The 2000s are calling! 📱 As we continue celebrating four decades of ASML, we remember the technological transformation from the web-surfing 1990s to the social-sharing 2000s. It was during this decade that we introduced immersion lithography, a game-changing technology that enabled the creation of more powerful, compact chips. These chips fueled the smartphone revolution and the explosive growth of social media apps, contributing to a new era of digital interaction and global connectivity. What was your first social media profile? 🤳

What makes cars computers on wheels? 🚗 Peek under the hood and discover the chips making vehicles smarter and safer. From powering central computing cores with high processing capacity to handling intensive real-time actions, semiconductor technology is steering us into the future of mobility. 🚀

Can AI become conscious? 🤖 🧠 Federico Faggin, a pioneer in semiconductor technology, argues in his book 'Irreducible: Consciousness, Life, Computers, and Human Nature' that while AI can mimic human behavior, it lacks true consciousness. He believes that consciousness involves quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement, making it something that cannot be reduced to algorithms and computations. 💡 His view challenges the tech-utopian notion that AI will one day copy or surpass human consciousness. Instead, he emphasizes the unique and irreplaceable nature of human emotion. At ASML, we don't just push the boundaries of technology – we invite visionary thinkers to present their latest research and inspire us. What do you think sets human consciousness apart from AI? 🤔

Travel back to 1998: ASML’s Veldhoven headquarters was just beginning to take shape. Our PAS 5500 platform was gaining traction with major chipmakers while the semiconductor sector rode the waves of innovation in personal computing. As the industry surged, so did our growth, both in the number of employees and in system output, leading us to expand our offices and factories into a sprawling campus. Fast-forward to today: The semiconductor field is experiencing another revolution, driven by advancements in AI, with projections forecasting it to become a trillion-dollar market by 2030. Just as before, we're committed to keep powering technology forward with you by preparing for this growth. This means sustainably expanding our global footprint, hiring and training top talent, and staying laser-focused on the needs of our customers.💡

This Pride Month, our Proud ASML community is celebrating at the first-ever Eindhoven Pride Parade! 🌈 At ASML, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can express their true selves. This year, our Proud ASML network turns 10. Here's to many more years of connection, togetherness and embracing our unique identities. 🎉

Wim Troost passed away. Wim was one our founding fathers and CEO from 1987 to 1990, during a time when ASML was struggling to get its first customer. After his retirement, Wim remained a true ambassador for ASML and the high-tech industry. He inspired many generations after him. We are grateful for Wim’s contribution to ASML’s DNA and strong company culture, his leadership, perseverance and vision. We offer our condolences to Wim’s family.

📽️ Rewind to the 1990s with us as we celebrate National VCR Day! There was a time when videotapes were the go-to medium for watching lectures, just like this clip from the ASML archive, where our first Chief Scientist Steef Wittekoek shares insights into optical lithography. As part of our 40th anniversary celebration, we look back on pioneering technologies of the 1990s – like the VCR – that had their iconic moments before paving the way for future innovations like DVDs and streaming. What was your most-watched VHS? 📼

🔎 Here’s our High NA EUV system like you’ve never seen it before. Fly with us to the heart of the system, where a high-energy laser fires on a microscopic droplet of molten tin to turn it into plasma, emitting EUV light. Anamorphic optics focus this light into a uniform beam and direct it to the reticle, which contains the blueprint of the chip. With the chip pattern now encoded in the light, projection optics focus the pattern onto the silicon wafer. Pattern by pattern, layer by layer, this is how our customers create their most advanced chips. And with High NA EUV, the chip industry will set new benchmarks for transistor density and chip performance to enable the next wave of innovation.