IBM stated it has developed a 7 nanometre chip that is capable of holding 20 billion switches and transistors. Terming the chip an industry first, IBM stated it is capable of vastly improved computing power that will bring about a quantum jump in the way devices performed, which could be anything from "smartphones to spacecraft."
The development is significant considering its 14 to 21 nanometre chips that most computing devices now rely on, which means at least a 50 percent improvement in computing efficiency for the new IBM chip.
To design a chip that thin, IBM used silicon-germanium alloy for channel transistors which it claimed allowed for better electron mobility and hence much faster on-off times. According to NDTV, the development also marked the first application of EUV (extreme ultraviolet) photolithography technique to create the chip design.
Apart from IBM, others involved in the $3 billion project include GlobalFoundries and Samsung, with the latter two set to be among the first to bag the license for series production. However, analysts claim it could be at least 2 more years for the chip to be ready for commercial production, Wired reported.
However, Pat Moorhead, an ardent follower of the world chip business is of the opinion that Intel might have already reached the 7 nanometre milestone but is keeping a low profile. Pat though welcomed the competition that is likely to ensue with a two pronged benefit to look forward to - softening of prices and drawing increased investment in furthering research.
While still on Intel, the chipmaker had only last year announced the 14 nanometre chips and is gearing towards launching the 10 nanometre Cannonlake chips next year.