ASML currently holds approximately 90 per cent of the ArFi market, supplying the majority of the world’s most advanced optical lithography tools. According to Nikon’s data, fewer than 100 high-end ArFi scanners are sold globally each year. In its fiscal year 2024 (ending March 2024), Nikon sold 11 ArFi systems but recorded no sales in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2025.

To regain market share, Nikon is introducing a more compact ArFi platform equipped with a newly developed lens and wafer stage. The company anticipates a surge in demand, driven by the growing adoption of 3D integration techniques in semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in logic and memory production. Nikon projects that the ArFi market will grow by 40-50 per cent over the next decade.

The company hopes to attract major chipmakers, including Intel, Samsung and TSMC, to use its systems. While Nikon has not disclosed the identity of its development partner, the collaboration is expected to continue beyond 2030, with additional follow-up models in the pipeline.

Nikon’s current flagship immersion scanner is the NSR-S636E. The company’s new ArFi system is designed to be compatible with ASML’s equipment, potentially making it easier for semiconductor manufacturers to integrate Nikon’s machines into their production lines.

By: DocMemory
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