Reinventing the Millennium

"Wu Gong, I can't bear to leave you."

"Gong Zheng, why don't we stay a few more days?"

"Gong Chu, come here, let's take a group photo. Mr. Qiu said you are very good, so you have to leave an autograph for me."

On February 7, after the risky trial production of ice cores achieved good results, Fang Zhuo held a grand celebration banquet in the cafeteria to see off SMIC's expert team.

I didn't sleep nearly all night yesterday, and I'm still in high spirits today.

In the morning, Fang Zhuo received a call from Zhang Rujing. It was both congratulations and a reminder - Mr. Fang, Mr. Fang, the time has come and the matter has been settled. Don't forget our gentleman's agreement.

Zhang Rujing's call came so timely, and he was in a really happy mood, so Fang Zhuo didn't have the nerve to ask the experts to stay a few more days to continue to help push the yield rate.

The overall yield rate of this risky trial production is 71%, which is a fairly acceptable level but still needs to be improved.

This part of Ice Core is only wafer manufacturing. The next steps of wafer mid-testing and wafer packaging also require yield indicators. In the end, there will be a chip product yield, but these can be left to other mature manufacturers. , what Bingxin has to do is to push the manufacturing yield to a profitable target.

Normally, a yield rate of 75% is the bottom line for a fab's profitability, but if you want to be competitive, you need to increase this number to 90%.

However, there are also changes when it comes to different processes.

For example, TSMC's cutting-edge advanced processes often start mass production at 65%, and the 65% it leads may be equivalent to the 85% of other competitors.

According to expert Wu Jingang, ice cores must overcome problems such as further improvement in yield and defects in photomask dustproof films before mass production, so that they can truly gain a foothold in the competitive ranks of global wafer manufacturing.

But in any case, the current ice core has reached the level of small-scale mass production - no matter whether I make money or not, it depends on whether it is mass production.

Qiu Ciyun already expressed his position last night and is confident that the yield rate will be further improved before large-scale mass production.

Fang Zhuo has greater confidence in such a statement because of the success of risky mass production.

There were no other people at the noon celebration and farewell banquet. They were all Bingxin and Shongxin’s family members.

The dishes are exquisite, the drinks are plentiful, and the red envelopes are generous.

Fang Zhuo held the wine glass and walked among the experts and engineers with a smile on his face, his face full of uncontrollable joy.

From the year before last when it started attracting investment to the beginning of this year, the ice core has finally been polished into a usable outline. As long as it can move, whether it is the expansion of upstream and downstream or the construction of surrounding ecology, it will no longer be constrained and will not be in vain. Water from the source, tree without roots.

After a big drink at noon, Fang Zhuo was so petty that he insisted on driving the experts to the airport himself.

Wu Jingang also drank, but not much. He stopped President Fang and asked with a smile: "President Fang, I see you are both smoke-filled and drunk. Are you going to send us back to SMIC?" Or do you want to serve us all in one pot?"

Fang Zhuo was not a person who refused to listen to advice, especially when the person who held him back was a great expert who was reluctant to let him go. He could only say regretfully: "Gong Wu, let's meet in Shanghai. I told Mr. Zhang about this. What will happen in the future?" If I can help, no matter what I can do or not, as long as you ask, I will do my best."

Wu Jingang helped Bing Xin on this trip and was in a good mood. He smiled and said, "Okay, Mr. Fang, I'll take this to heart. Don't refuse to answer your phone when the time comes."

"Gong Wu, thank you, thank you." Fang Zhuo shook hands with Wu Jingang, and finally greeted the experts from SMIC one by one, expressed his gratitude, watched their cars leave, and sat down on the curb at the entrance of the ice core.

Bing Xin's family has announced a holiday. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the early spring sunshine shines on the ground, and it is still a bit cold.

Qiu Ciyun and other ice core executives came together to bid farewell to SMIC experts. Regardless of their image, the boss squatted or sat in a row.

"Smoke." Qiu Ciyun lit a cigarette and threw one to Mr. Fang.

Fang Zhuo lit it up, took two nice puffs, and began to discuss his contribution: "Mr. Qiu, whether this risky mass production can be successful depends on me. I watched the gate for a few days and gave everyone a stable environment."

"Ah, yes, yes, the ice core is a risky trial production that Mr. Fang noticed by looking at the door, so he asked the people at Sina to write it like this." Qiu Ciyun said with a smile.

Fang Zhuo took another two breaths, shook his head and said: "If you don't write, don't write, keep a low profile, but the postponed leadership inspection can be brought forward. If you can get policy discounts, get them, if you can get orders, don't be high-profile. What? It's time to have a high-profile fight with Taiwanese journalists."

Qiu Ciyun said seriously: "I'm afraid it will take a long time."

"Build the wall high, accumulate food widely, and become king slowly." Fang Zhuo flicked the ashes from his cigarette, "If you have a chance, Mr. Qiu, if you can do a good job in wafer manufacturing, there will be opportunities for many things in the future."

He leaned forward, looked at his senior executives, and shouted: "Ice core, ice core, number one in the world."

Someone muttered: "Mr. Fang, you don't rhyme either."

"Ice core, ice core, Oriental core?" Fang Zhuo absorbed the opinion and revised it in a low voice.

Qiu Ciyun commented: "It seems that he has lost his momentum."

"Ice core, ice core, the core of the world?" Fang Zhuo changed again.

"It's so-so." Qiu Ciyun stood up and reached for Mr. Fang, "Mr. Fang, you have a lot of work to do next. Let's go. It's time to go back to sleep and sober up."

Fang Zhuo stood up unsteadily, put his arm on Mr. Qiu's shoulders, and smiled as he talked about his increasingly random thoughts.

When he regained consciousness and opened his eyes, the room was dark.

Fang Zhuo closed his eyes, opened them, closed and opened them again, sobered up, and once again confirmed that the risky mass production of ice cores had achieved the set goal.

The air conditioner was turned on in the room and the temperature was a bit high.

He kicked off the thin blanket and began to think about ice cores in his mind.

Half an hour later, Fang Zhuo sat on the bed, picked up his cell phone, and dialed Secretary-General Luo Minghua.

"Brother Luo, have you received the news?" he asked in a show-off tone.

Luo Minghua smiled and said: "This is a big step for Bingxin, and several leaders know about it."

"Before Bingxin's annual leave was cancelled, I worked overtime to carry out risky trial production. Originally, I was not sure, but now that it is done, the leaders of risky mass production will inspect and Brother Luo will see when he has time to make arrangements. "Fang Zhuo said, "I hope this is a big step for ice cores and also a big step for related industries in Luzhou."

"Next year, oh no, this year, this year's production capacity will definitely be increased, including IC design companies, will also start."

"I'm very confident now."

Luo Minghua pondered: "I heard from Mr. Qiu that the ice core is on a ten-day holiday? Are these days not suitable?"

"There are still key members who are on rotation. If the leaders come to take a look, they can't just talk about technology, right? I will probably have to go back to Shanghai in a few days, and I will go to Tokyo at the end of the month." Fang Zhuo said, "You can also wait until the holiday is over, that's fine. , Mr. Qiu is here anyway."

Luo Minghua said immediately: "Then I will coordinate the arrangements. Let's not delay. We will go to the ice core the day after tomorrow to take a look."

"OK, no problem."

Fang Zhuo finalized the time.

He took the phone and thought for a while, then called Zhang Rujing of SMIC.

"Mr. Zhang, are all the experts here? I have something I want to ask you for details."

Zhang Rujing said helplessly: "Mr. Fang, at least you cared a little more and kept the matter in your mouth without waiting for my answer."

"I'm afraid that Mr. Zhang is busy and won't engage in those vain things." Fang Zhuo said warmly, "Besides, I also want to care more. Isn't this because I'm afraid that Mr. Zhang will think too much."

Zhang Rujing thought about it, hey, that makes sense.

He shook his head and said: "Mr. Fang, tell me, what's the matter? Just don't let SMIC transfer the DRAM technology to Bingxin."

There was no answer for several seconds.

Zhang Rujing was shocked: "Mr. Fang, is this really the case?"

"Oh, no, we don't have the idea of ​​​​entering into DRAM yet. We can only make a living by doing some OEM work." Fang Zhuo was organizing his words, "That's it. I have been thinking about it these days. Mr. Zhang, please lead the people." The purpose of coming to the mainland is to help the development of domestic semiconductors. SMIC has become a leader, and now it is helping us with Ice Core. This spirit should be carried forward more."

"Semiconductors are not just one household, but an industrial chain from top to bottom. The domestic economy is developing faster and faster, which will definitely drive the development of the semiconductor industry."

"Like Baodao, their administrative and industry levels have coordinated actions to a certain extent, and there are also de facto mechanisms to help each other."

"Can we learn from experience and make progress together?"

Zhang Rujing didn't quite understand Mr. Fang's intention, and said thoughtfully: "Be specific, for example?"

"For example, we can build an integrated circuit technology and industry promotion center with SMIC and Ice Core as the mainstay." Fang Zhuo gave an example, "mutual licensing of some patented technologies, and some support for upstream and downstream enterprises."

Zhang Rujing understood: "Shencheng ICC? If Mr. Fang wants to join, just join."

The full name of Shanghai ICC is Shanghai Integrated Circuit Technology and Industry Promotion Center. It was established by Shanghai Science and Technology Commission in 2000. In that year, SMIC landed in Zhangjiang.

"The ICC is too lax and has no initiative. Moreover, the Taiwanese reporters are going to Shanghai to build a factory." Fang Zhuo said, "No matter who comes, the mainland will definitely welcome them, but for the ICC, if the Taiwanese reporters Also join, what patent licensing are we talking about? It would be great if it doesn’t suppress it, will it sincerely support it? "

Zhang Rujing completely understood whether this was to start a new venture outside the ICC or a more subjective approach.

He thought for a few seconds, but did not agree. He smiled and said: "Mr. Fang, are you still the richest man in Shanghai? Are you trying to poach ICC?"

"I am from Shanghai and also from China." Fang Zhuo said, "Professor Hu will join Ice Core this year. I believe there is a lot of room for cooperation between Ice Core and SMIC in the future."

Zhang Rujing asked back: "If we don't work on this thing with Mr. Fang, Professor Hu's technology won't be able to help SMIC?"

"Of course not. SMIC helped me, and my words count. I just think that Bingxin and SMIC are the only domestic fabs that can purchase equipment and introduce technology normally. They can work together to do bigger things. ." Fang Zhuo explained his intention.

"ICC may not allow reporters to join. In fact, Mr. Fang, the environment, enterprises, and industrial chain in Shanghai are better. I think there is no need to leave the existing system and build another thing." Zhang Rujing said, " Add the ice core to the ICC and do as you said."

"What happens to the ICC is out of control, and what the Taiwanese journalists will do is predictable. The ICC is affected by Shanghai's administration. I don't want to create a mechanism for mutual assistance and then be persuaded in turn. Mr. Zhang, please think about it again." Consider it." Fang Zhuo insisted on his idea.

Taiwan Journal came to Shanghai in 2003 to register a branch and build a production line, but the process was backward 250/350nm.

Shanghai will not refuse Taiwanese journalists' investment. Even if the other party's purpose is not that simple, investment is investment. Similarly, ICC based on the development of semiconductors has no reason to reject Taiwanese journalists.

From this point of view, Fang Zhuo feels that after Bingxin initially meets the conditions for mass production, it can take the lead with SMIC to build a similar ICC with greater use.

"Okay, then I'll think about it." Zhang Rujing said, "Congratulations to Bing Xin."

call ended.

Fang Zhuo felt a little regretfully that the other party was not moved.

He was indeed inspired by Baodao's industry development practices as he said. Baodao Semiconductor Industry Association TSIA and Industrial Research Institute IEK have done a lot of practical work and took the lead in organizing mutual assistance between enterprises.

There are some links in the semiconductor industry that will be difficult to develop if you don’t give them a chance.

But if given a chance, development that might have taken eight or ten years would be shortened to three to five years.

Regardless of whether SMIC is willing to take the lead in doing this together, Fang Zhuo believes that building such an ecosystem has long-term benefits.

If SMIC does not come, then we will not make ICC-like products, but we can also build an ice core wafer manufacturing service alliance. Once the production capacity of this production line is allocated, we can consider the future of the next production line.

Fang Zhuo hopes that this can be a cross-platform, cross-regional, and incubable cooperation mechanism framework that can promote domestic industrial development and technological progress.

As far as the ice core production line is concerned, he can already feel the constraints in many places. For example, talent is one of the things that is very restricted. Even if ice core is poaching people all over the world, the domestic talent gap is huge, and there are not that many at all. People can do it.

Fang Zhuo sat in the room without turning on the light, silently sorting out his thoughts and considering Bing Xin's next new scene.

Changhong is going to help, and Kang Jia can also lend a hand.

If Morningstar Semiconductor can really deliver the services they claim, it will also hope to leverage the coverage of the domestic home appliance industry.

Half past eight in the evening.

Fang Zhuo stood up and inspected the ice core factory area.

Unlike the bright lights of the previous two days, the lights of the ice core tonight are much darker. Some technical backbones are still studying further optimization, but many links are temporarily on holiday.

Fang Zhuo wandered like this for a while before returning to the room with satisfaction.

February 9th, nine o'clock in the morning.

After the ice core risk mass production was successfully completed, leaders of Anhui Province and Luzhou, accompanied by ice core executives, inspected the factory located at No. 1 Yuhu Road.

"Congratulations, Mr. Fang, have you achieved your set goal?" Sun Ruolong came over this time and was in a happy mood.

"Yes, I have accomplished one small goal, and there are many other small and big goals." Fang Zhuo walked aside and said with a smile.

Luo Minghua asked: "I heard that Bingxin has overcome many problems this time. It's really hard work."

"Yes, there are issues such as the RuTi-based single-layer film as a copper interconnect diffusion barrier." Fang Zhuo said in a clear-eyed manner, "RuTi is an alloy system film. We use the properties of RuTa and RuNg film barrier layers as a reference for RuTi. Its alloy film is very good in terms of Cu barrier layer."

Sun Ruolong, Luo Minghua and other leaders all nodded after hearing this.

No wonder Fang Zong was able to break into semiconductors in one fell swoop. This still has a certain foundation.

Qiu Ciyun next to him suppressed a smile when he heard these familiar words. Mr. Fang had an outstanding memory among other things.