sub7nanometer
Sub-7nanometer refers to semiconductor manufacturing process nodes that are smaller than 7 nanometers. These advanced nodes allow for the creation of transistors that are significantly smaller, leading to increased performance, reduced power consumption, and higher transistor density on a given silicon chip. The development and adoption of sub-7nm processes are driven by the continuous demand for more powerful and efficient electronic devices, ranging from smartphones and laptops to advanced servers and artificial intelligence hardware. Achieving these incredibly small scales requires sophisticated lithography techniques, such as Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, and innovative materials science. Companies like TSMC and Samsung are at the forefront of developing and producing chips using these sub-7nm processes, enabling the next generation of technological advancements. The constant push towards smaller process nodes is a key characteristic of the semiconductor industry's roadmap, often referred to as "Moore's Law," although the pace of shrinking transistor sizes has been subject to debate and technological challenges.