Rapidus, a Japanese government-funded startup chipmaker that aims to start production of 2nm chips in 2027, is collaborating with the University of Tokyo and France's Leti research institute to develop 1nm – 1.4nm (1 angstrom - 1.4 angstroms) process technologies reports Nikkei. According to the report, this partnership will initially involve staff exchanges and some fundamental research sharing starting next year.
Under the undisclosed terms of the purported collaboration, Leti will explore novel transistor structures, whereas Rapidus and other Japanese partners will send in scientists and then assess and test prototypes. Rapidus reportedly sets modest goals for its 1nm-class manufacturing processes as it plans to improve power efficiency and performance by 10% to 20% compared to [presumably its own] 2nm fabrication technology. Mainstream adoption of 1nm process technology will happen in the 2030s, following the adoption of 2nm, 1.8nm, and 1.4nm nodes this decade.
