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IBM debuts sub-1 nanometer chip technology (newsroom.ibm.com)

392 points by porridgeraisin · 64 days ago · 205 comments on HN

Article summary

IBM has announced a breakthrough in semiconductor technology with the development of a sub-1 nanometer chip, featuring a 0.7 nm transistor architecture. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the industry, as it demonstrates the possibility of continued scaling beyond traditional chip limits. The new chip technology, called nanostack, uses a three-dimensional design to pack nearly 100 billion transistors onto a chip the size of a fingernail. This innovation is expected to offer improved performance and energy efficiency, with potential applications in areas such as AI, cloud infrastructure, and next-generation electronic devices.

Main themes

  • Semiconductor technology
  • Chip scaling
  • Nanostack architecture
  • IBM innovation
  • Quantum computing
  • Technology licensing

What commenters say

  • IBM's business model involves licensing their technology to other manufacturers, rather than producing chips themselves.
  • The development of sub-1 nanometer chips is a significant achievement, but its practical applications and potential impact are still unclear.
  • The use of angstroms as a unit of measurement is not an SI unit and may be deprecated in favor of picometers.
  • IBM's innovation in semiconductor technology is crucial for the development of next-generation computing systems, including quantum computers.
  • The company's decision to license their technology to other manufacturers is a strategic move to promote industry-wide innovation and cost-effectiveness.
  • The relationship between the size of transistors and the naming of technology nodes is not always straightforward, and may be more of a marketing tool than a technical specification.
  • The development of nanostack technology has the potential to extend the life of traditional chip scaling, but its limitations and challenges need to be addressed.
  • The collaboration between IBM and other companies, such as ASML, is essential for the development and commercialization of new semiconductor technologies.