Chip news explained: one word from the headlines at a time
The news keeps saying "2 nm in mass production", "yield" and "advanced packaging". They sound important, and few people can say what they mean. Each article here takes one word and explains it until someone who knows nothing about semiconductors gets it. Public, general sources only; no companies, and no stock tips.
The news says "2 nm". What exactly is 2 nm?
"2 nm" sounds like something on the chip measures 2 nm. It is the name of a process generation, not a size. What the name means, how small chips really are, and what "mature nodes" are.
What does "yield" mean in chip news, and why does 1% matter so much?
Chip yield is the share of chips on a wafer that come out good. Why it never reaches 100%, why 1% matters so much, and what a "yield ramp" is.
The news says "advanced packaging". What is it, and why do chips sit side by side or stack up?
Advanced packaging puts several chips in one package, side by side on an interposer (2.5D) or stacked (3D). Why chips get split up, and why AI needs it.
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