Samsung Electronics Preparing Mass Production of 10nm Class 7th Generation "1d DRAM" in First Half of Next Year
Samsung Electronics' next generation DRAM mass production plan is taking concrete shape. The company is currently developing equipment with multiple partners for the mass production of 7th generation 10nm class (1d) DRAM, and is understood to be targeting introduction as early as the second quarter of next year.
According to industry sources on the 17th, Samsung Electronics plans to begin initial mass production preparations for 1d DRAM as early as the first half of next year.
1d is DRAM with a circuit line width on the order of 10 to 11 nanometers (nm). The most recent generation currently in commercial use, 6th generation 10nm class (1c) DRAM, is assessed to have a line width of around 11 to 12 nm. The narrower the line width, the better the DRAM's performance and power efficiency.
Samsung Electronics has been working through internal evaluations for mass production, including the production of early 1d DRAM samples. Some had projected that Samsung might begin 1d DRAM mass production as early as this year, but there are arguments that this lacks feasibility, since the key equipment to be used in 1d DRAM manufacturing remains at the development stage.
The target timing for introducing the 1d DRAM mass production equipment that Samsung Electronics is currently discussing with its partners is reportedly the second quarter of next year. Taking into account the time required for actual mass production preparations, the earliest point at which Samsung could begin initial mass production of 1d DRAM is assessed to be late next year at the soonest.
A semiconductor industry official explained, "Samsung Electronics is actively pursuing research and development with major partners to stabilize the yield and performance of 1d DRAM," adding, "The schedule may shift, but the goal is to introduce mass production equipment in the second or third quarter of next year."
Another official said, "Samsung Electronics' 1d DRAM is a process with relatively advanced development progress, and we expect mass production could begin next year," adding, "The plan is expected to firm up around the end of this year."
Samsung Electronics' 1d DRAM is expected to play a very important role in the company's own AI memory business. In particular, it is set to be adopted as the core die for 9th generation high bandwidth memory (HBM5E), which is expected to be commercialized in 2029.