If you cheat, money will follow

In addition to equipment and tools, there is another hurdle, which is the upstream of the semiconductor industry—raw materials.

Semiconductor materials are divided into front-end materials and back-end materials.

Front-end materials include silicon wafers, synthetic semiconductor wafers, photomasks, photoresists, chemical liquids, industrial gases, special gases, targets, interlayer insulation coatings, CMP polishing fluids, etc.

Back-end materials include lead frames, ceramic boards, plastic boards, TAB packages, COF chip-on-chip films, chip welding, wire bonding, packaging, etc.

The total market size of semiconductor materials is approximately US$300 billion to US$400 billion. It may seem small, but it is the source of the entire industry.

Japan is the absolute king in this field, occupying more than 66% of the market share.

Of the nineteen main materials required for semiconductors, Japan holds more than 50% of the market share for fourteen materials;

Japan holds more than 70% of the market share of the four core materials: silicon wafer, photoresist, electronic gas and mask.

Especially in the field of photoresist, more than 80% of the patents are controlled by it. It can almost be said that the whole world looks up to it and remains in an invincible position.

Well, the premise is that the beautiful country does not speak.

As powerful as Samsung Electronics, Japan and South Korea had a fierce trade war in 19, and the chaebol king had to grovel and go to Japan to beg for mercy. It was quite humble and embarrassing.

With the Yamato nation's characteristic of bullying the weak, and the fact that Japan is completely controlled by North America, as long as North America imposes its orders, the country will have to face the third crisis - the material crisis.

From equipment to tools to materials, technology companies represented by Juchang seem to be facing endless cycles of endless cycles that are difficult to escape and unable to extricate themselves, and are at the mercy of others.

Can't overtake on a curve?

It seems difficult to do in the semiconductor field, and the probability is extremely low.

Take the most basic material of semiconductors as an example, silicon wafers.

The purity of silicon wafers required for semiconductors should reach 99.%, that is, 11 nines after the decimal point, and it is still improving.

To this extent, only one grain of sand is allowed to exist in an area equivalent to the size of two football fields.

An extra grain of sand will cause the chip circuit to become clogged, causing it to malfunction.

To achieve this step, it requires not only funds and technology, but also a large amount of basic equipment to assist monitoring, extremely patient accumulation of process technology, and continuous improvement of experience day after day.

To achieve this step, we also rely heavily on rules of thumb - the same is true for engine combustion system research. There are no shortcuts to achieve overtaking in corners or across levels.

Every cause must have its effect. The current situation faced by the country is just the result of decades of neglect of investment in basic disciplines. It is essentially repaying debts.

The reason why North America is so strong is that it has maintained high-intensity investment in basic science for decades.

Basic disciplines are the foundation of applied disciplines, and every breakthrough in basic disciplines will lead to the prosperity of applied disciplines.

The birth of binary language in the 18th century created the prosperity of the computer industry today;

The physical rectification effect discovered in the 19th century promoted the large-scale development and application of transistors and achieved a geometric doubling of computer performance.

As for basic subjects such as plasma physics and gas chemistry, they are closely related to photolithography machines and etching machines.

Later generations can always have the confidence to declare that the chrysanthemum factory has entered a confused no-man's land. This confidence comes from the fact that more than 2000 scientists serve it.

As early as the 50s, North America made long-term investments in basic disciplines through the National Science Foundation, initially at US$700 million per year, then increased to hundreds of millions of US dollars, and recently to more than US$40 billion.

This is an uninterrupted process, during which 42 Nobel Prize winners were born.

Among the top 10 universities in the world for physics, North America occupies 7 seats;

Among the top 10 universities in the world for mathematics, North America occupies 5 seats.

In view of this, the only way to reverse this passive situation is to endure loneliness, go back to the source, go against the current, make up lessons again from the most basic and fundamental links, and "throw money at mathematicians, physicists, and chemists." ".

…………

Since the single-RAN product solution was launched and swept across Europe, the Unlimited department led by Yu Chengdong has been living a good life, with a little comfort.

What is the single-RAN product solution?

It can help operators smoothly transition from 2G to 3G, and it can also take into account the functions of 2G without having to replace equipment on a large scale. Who wouldn't like such a high-quality and low-priced product solution?

So, he received a call from Lao Xu at the headquarters. Lao Xu asked him to return home quickly and discuss important matters.

Yu Chengdong was confused and tired and rushed back to China. In Lao Xu's office, he received sad news.

He is about to be kicked out - and the price is quite high, $10 billion.

"Can I sell it for so much money? Who is this idiot?" Yu Chengdong was surprised.

"Please, please don't speak so harshly. Who can sell you? You have full autonomy on this issue." Lao Xu first made a gesture.

"Now I'm just telling you the company's resolution so that you can think about it and make a complete and appropriate decision."

Lao Xu personally poured another cup of tea for Yu Chengdong, trying to appear pleasant and affable.

However, the sparse hair and poor acting skills made Yu Chengdong look ugly, uglier than himself.

"Then I've already made up my mind, I won't go, I'll stay." Yu Chengdong said bluntly.

"Don't think about it carefully anymore? Is it too hasty to decide such a big thing so quickly?" Lao Xu asked again.

"Yes, I have decided not to go there, but to stay." Yu Chengdong repeated.

"However, both Mr. Ren and the company hope that you can pass. Because as long as you pass, the company will be able to get an additional US$10 billion, which will greatly ease the company's financial pressure." Lao Xu continued to persuade.

"Isn't that just selling?" Yu Chengdong spread his hands.

"Hey, you said you were not selling, so why did you say you were selling? Who can sell you?" Lao Xu hurriedly denied.

Yu Chengdong: "..."

"I'll tell you the situation in detail. Mr. Ren said at the meeting that you are a cadre trained by the company. You understand both company management and technology development. You have excellent psychological quality. You also take the overall situation into consideration and have the courage to contribute. He is a rare talent who has the courage to struggle and is proficient in research..."

"Am I that good?"

"Listen to me and don't interrupt. After you pass, you will not only achieve a big leap in your career, from a department head to the head of a company, control the overall situation, control the direction, and control the future. You can also serve as the leader of our company. Being a representative who gives back to the society, promotes the culture of Ju Factory, and exports the management of Ju Factory can strengthen the connection with Leda Investment and become a communication bridge to move towards the future together and achieve three goals with one stone. Why not?" Lao Xu continued said:

"In terms of remuneration, you don't have to worry at all. Mr. Chang from Leda Investment said that your personal remuneration will only be more, not less. Leda Investment is not short of money at all. They have much more money than us."

"Mr. Ren also said that you, Yu Chengdong, are a shameless person. No, you are a very smart person who will weigh the pros and cons and make the right choice."

Speaking of this, Lao Xu's kind eyes gradually converged.

"Mr. Ren really said that?" Yu Chengdong asked.

"Nonsense, can I still lie to you? This was said during the discussion at the meeting a few nights ago. Several other directors were present and heard it." Old Xu nodded.

"Then can I come back?"

"Come back? You didn't leave. You see, Leda Investment is the second shareholder of Terminal Company, and is actually part of the same family as the company; and Leda Automobile is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leda Investment. You used to be equivalent to An internal transfer is just like going to your uncle’s house.”

"Old Xu, I find that your ability to brag and talk nonsense is getting better with each passing day."

"Bullshit? How the hell do I have time to talk nonsense with you here? I've already said it, and you can figure it out yourself. Anyway, I can't explain it, and Ren will always come to you..."