In the laboratory, Zhao Guanggui glanced at Mr. Lei of Xiaomi Group with some surprise, and was indeed a little surprised that he appeared here.
After all, in ordinary people's minds, Xiaomi has little to do with research and development in the field of cutting-edge technology.
However, the person was brought here by Xu Chuan, so he didn't think much about it. He smiled and stretched out his right hand and said hello.
"Hello, Mr. Lei."
He has met more than one president and boss of big domestic companies. At the end of the year, Mr. Ren from Warwick even came over.
At present, their semi-finished carbon-based chips are completed in cooperation with Huawei HiSilicon and SMIC.
"Hello, Director Zhao."
After coming back to his senses, Lei Jun smiled and stretched out his hand, shook it and said hello, looking at Zhao Guanggui with a curious expression on his face.
He seemed to have heard of or seen this person somewhere.
Of course, it is definitely not reality. I must have memories of seeing him in real life. Most likely, it was on the Internet or in the news.
After briefly introducing the two of them, Xu Chuan did not waste any time and asked directly: "Institute Zhao, do you have the latest carbon-based chips and carbon-based substrates in the laboratory?"
"Of course." Zhao Guanggui nodded.
"Take us to have a look." Xu Chuan said quickly.
"Okay, please follow me."
Zhao Guanggui responded and led the two of them towards another laboratory.
At the end of the year, after the number of integrated carbon nanotubes per square millimeter exceeded one million, the Materials Research Institute teamed up with HiSilicon from Warwick, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, Peking University's Carbon-Based Electronics Research Center and other chips
Enterprises and universities in the field use the finished substrates to integrate transistors.
Although China has some shortcomings in top-notch low-nanometer silicon-based chips, it has a complete system for the research and development and preparation of secondary chips.
HiSilicon's design capabilities in the field of chip design, SMIC's complete process manufacturing capabilities, Peking University's carbon-based electronics research center's carbon core research, plus Xinghai Research Institute's carbon-based substrate and high-density carbon nanotube arrangement technology.
A nearly complete set of carbon-based chip development, design, preparation, and production processes was pieced together in this way.
After the Institute of Materials provided dozens of silicon carbide substrates with millions of carbon nanotubes integrated per square millimeter, during the Spring Festival, in half a month, SMIC has now prepared a number of integrated silicon carbide substrates.
Millions of carbon-based chips of 'MOSFET metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor' and 'JFET junction field effect transistor'.
‘MOSFET’ and ‘JFET’ are the most important and basic transistors in the chip.
The former uses the structure of metals, oxides and semiconductors to control the accumulation or depletion of electrons on the semiconductor surface through changes in gate voltage, thereby controlling the current between the source and drain.
The latter controls the internal electric field of the semiconductor by changing the external voltage, thereby controlling the width and narrowness of the conductive channel semiconductor device.
These two types of transistors are indispensable components in modern electronic equipment and play a vital role in realizing various functions of the circuit.
To put it more generally and simply, if these two transistor devices can be integrated on a large scale, most of the functions of the chip can be realized.
Although the carbon-based chips they have produced at this stage are still quite crude.
Not only is the yield rate of integrated MOSFET transistors and JFET effect transistors less than 80%, but even various circuit diagrams and other designs are directly integrated into silicon-based chips.
But a chip with more than 700,000 basic carbon transistors per square millimeter is enough to plan a lot of computing circuits on it and realize a lot of functions.
...
In another laboratory that was testing carbon-based chips, Lei Jun saw the 'carbon-based chip' for the first time.
The small chip, as black as ink, is no bigger than the fingernail of an adult man's thumb, and it looks ordinary when placed in a transparent glass vessel.
But just such a small chip, like a black hole that attracts all matter, steals everyone's attention.
Picking up the glassware one by one, Zhao Guanggui introduced with a proud look on his face: "This piece is the latest silicon carbide substrate integrated carbon nanotube chip that we just made yesterday."
"The area is 1.5 square centimeters, and the densest area has 9 million carbon nanotubes integrated per square millimeter, for a total of 750 million carbon nanotubes."
After a slight pause, he raised another glassware in his left hand, which contained a larger-looking black chip.
"This piece is our latest semi-finished carbon-based chip. Through advanced technology, we have integrated a total of 6.35 million carbon-based transistors on it."
"Among them, there are 3.7 million and 2.3 million of 'MOSFET metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors' and 'JFET junction field effect transistors' respectively. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands of transistors with other functions."
"It is no exaggeration to say that it already has most of the functions of silicon-based chips."
"Of course, the reason why there is a gap between the number of carbon-based transistors and the number of integrated carbon nanotubes is that the substrate material used in this semi-finished chip has only tens of millions of carbon nanotubes."
"If the latest carbon-based substrate I have is used, the number of carbon-based transistors integrated can reach hundreds of millions!"
"Give us some time, we can integrate the number of carbon-based transistors to at least 10 million per square millimeter."
Upon hearing this number, Lei Jun, who was standing opposite, showed a look of surprise on his face.
There are 9 million carbon nanotubes per square millimeter, with a total of 750 million integrated.
And 6.35 million carbon-based transistors
Although this number is still far from the number of silicon transistors integrated on top silicon-based chips, the number of silicon transistors on low-nanometer chips currently exceeds 10 billion.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! But when it comes to legendary laboratory products such as carbon-based chips, the degree of increase in quantity cannot be overstated.
From 3,000 to 6.35 million now, this improvement is no longer an order of magnitude.
And according to director Zhao Guanggui, if another latest carbon-based substrate is used, the number of carbon-based transistors can exceed 100 million.
Even if we give them some time, the number of transistors on carbon-based chips can exceed 10 million per square millimeter.
If calculated based on the size of the chip he saw in front of him, which is about one square centimeter, that is 1 billion transistors.
This number, if compared with the most common Intel Core processor, is almost the level of the fifth generation I3.
Of course, the number of transistors in different chips varies greatly. Even for silicon-based chips of the same generation, the number of transistors may vary by hundreds of millions or more.
But a billion transistors are enough to build a commercial chip.
As for the specific performance, whether it can surpass carbon-based chips of the same level, and by how much, he is not sure yet.
But soon, Zhao Guanggui from the Institute of Materials gave the answer.
After briefly introducing the different situations of the two carbon-based chips in his hand, he continued: "Although the testing of carbon-based chips is still in progress."
"However, judging from the number of testing projects that have been completed so far, its performance far exceeds that of silicon-based chips of the same level, or the same number of transistors."
"For example, the energy consumption of this carbon-based chip is less than one-fifth of that of silicon-based chips of the same level!"
"Of course, this is also too old compared to silicon-based chips of the same level, and there are gaps in various aspects such as chip construction technology, which is why it is so superior."
"But after our theoretical calculations, even if we switch to the current top five-nanometer integration process to prepare the same number of silicon-based chips, the energy consumption will be far greater than the semi-finished carbon-based chip in my hand."
"Theoretically, the power consumption of this carbon-based chip is less than half of the power consumption of a silicon-based chip using the same process."
"And technically speaking, because this is an experimental product, both the design of integrated circuits and the integration of chip transistors are relatively rough, and there is still plenty of room for optimization."
"According to my estimation, if the preparation process and circuitry of carbon-based chips are improved in the future, the power consumption can be reduced to at least two to three times that of silicon-based chips!"
After listening to Zhao Guanggui's introduction, Mr. Xiaomi Lei, who came with Xu Chuan, showed an expression of surprise and shock on his face.
Although other indicators are still unknown, the power consumption alone has already lifted the carbon-based chip.
With an interested expression, Lei Jun took a deep breath and asked, "Can I see this chip? The chip you have is integrated with millions of finished chips."
"Of course no problem."
Zhao Guanggui smiled, put the other carbon-based substrate in his hand on the experimental table, and walked to the laboratory microscope with another semi-finished chip.
"Mr. Lei, this is the adjustment multiple, this is..."
After processing the chip, Zhao Guanggui smiled and introduced the operation of the microscope. Lei Jun nodded and said with a smile: "Thank you."
He can still use a microscope, although he is not very skilled at it.
Standing next to the experimental equipment, Lei Jun put his eyes towards the mirror.
Through the microscope, with magnifications ranging from small to large, the internal structure of this carbon-based chip appeared before his eyes as if overlooking an orderly planned city.
Those criss-crossing carbon nanotubes are arranged in an orderly manner on the silicon carbide substrate, and they look like a world built with building blocks, showing a beauty that is different from the ordinary world.
Although its raw material is carbon nanotubes as black as ink, after guided deposition, doping with NP metal and stacking layers into transistors, it has become a work of art, like a jade garment.
Passed on forever.
"It's so beautiful...it looks like a piece of art."
After looking at the microscope for a long time, Lei Jun reluctantly moved his eyes away and let out a sigh.
Carbon based chips!
He never expected that he would see such a 'treasure' in the chip field in his lifetime.
Xu Chuan smiled and said with full confidence in his tone: "There is no problem in saying it is a work of art, but I am afraid there is no other work of art in the world that can compare with it."
"Even the portrait of Mona Lisa, even the statue of Venus de Milo, is not worth mentioning in front of it!"
This sounds a bit arrogant, but no one in the laboratory questions it.
The source of confidence lies in strength. No matter how precious the artwork is, it is far from being comparable to carbon-based chips.
The former may not be described in terms of money, but no matter how precious it is, it is just a legacy of history.
But the latter can truly change an entire era and create a future full of infinite possibilities!
Lei Jun smiled and nodded in agreement. He naturally agreed with Xu Chuan's statement.
The importance of carbon-based chips is undoubted. This is a broader road to heaven than silicon-based chips.
...
When Lei Jun returned to Xu Chuan's office from the laboratory, he was a little stunned.
That’s a carbon-based chip!
For companies like them that require chips such as mobile phones, computers, smart technologies, etc., it is simply a road to heaven.
Especially for Xiaomi Group, the significance is even more important.
Without him, many industries of Xiaomi Group, especially some core industries, such as mobile phones, automobiles, artificial intelligence, etc., are inseparable from chips.
Among them, whether it is Qualcomm, MediaTek, or other chip companies, they have taken away a lot of profits from Xiaomi through physical chips or patented technologies.
In fact, it is not just Xiaomi. Domestic mobile phone manufacturers, whether they are Warwick, VIO, OPO, Meizu, OnePlus and other companies, cannot escape the fact that Qualcomm and others have taken away a lot of profits.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Even sometimes, for some reasons, companies such as Qualcomm may get stuck.
For domestic mobile phone companies, once cutting-edge chips are stuck, it will be fatal for the entire manufacturer.
A few years ago, due to some reasons, Warwick was even forced to give up its mobile phone business.
Even now, it still hasn't eased much.
It can be seen how uncomfortable it will be for relevant domestic companies and manufacturers once the chip field is stuck.
Xiaomi has no choice. They are different from Warwick. Warwick has been accumulating strength and taking the road of self-research.
But Xiaomi’s strategic direction has never been this. Integrating resources and taking a cost-effective route is their direction.
Moreover, the establishment of Xiaomi mobile phone was too short. It was only established in 11 years. It was already very late to enter this industry. There is almost no deployment in chip research and development. In addition to biting the bullet and continuing to use chips and patents from Qualcomm, MediaTek and other manufacturers.
, it can be said that there is no other way.
Not only Xiaomi, but also other domestic mobile phones are almost the same.
They have no choice. The consequences of not using it will be a total loss of the market. This is a lesson learned from the past, and it is even more unbearable.
Thoughts in his mind were mixed and flashing. He looked away from the door. Lei Jun looked at the young scholar sitting opposite him, took a deep breath and broke the silence first to ask.
"Academician Xu, you came to me today because of the carbon-based chip?"
Xu Chuan smiled and said: "That's right."
After hearing this answer, Lei Jun couldn't help but ask: "I think the carbon-based chip I just saw is not completely completed yet, right?"
"I would like to ask, do you still need R&D funds for the carbon-based chip you developed?"
"If necessary, I can allocate 20 billion... no, at least 30 billion in cash through various channels."
Although it is known that Xiaomi’s hope of participating in the research and development of carbon-based chips is slim.
Because judging from today's situation, Xinghai Research Institute has mastered relatively mature carbon-based chip preparation technology.
They have prepared millions of carbon-based transistors and carbon-based chips with certain mature computing functions.
Although there is still some distance to go before commercial production, there is no doubt that this distance should not be very far.
But he still had to ask.
Because for Xiaomi, this is a new ship, and it is still an era aircraft carrier that allows them to get rid of Qualcomm’s control!
If you miss this flight, no one knows when the next era will turn.
Xu Chuan smiled and shook his head and said: "Although I am looking for you, Mr. Lei, for carbon-based chips, it is not to attract investment."
"Xinghai Research Institute has no shortage of funds in terms of investment. There is no need. We have enough funds on our books."
"If I really want to invest, I still have hundreds of billions in cash on my bank card, so I can just use it."
"On the other hand, Xiaomi Group does not have any subsidiary companies or laboratories that can participate in chip research and development. To be honest, participating in research and development does not make much sense."
"Besides, this is not the path you are taking."
After hearing these words, Lei Jun was stunned for a moment, shook his head gently and showed a helpless smile.
He almost forgot that the person in front of him was different from ordinary scholars.
When it comes to money, no one in China is richer than him. He just isn't on the Forbes list of richest people.
Moreover, he said before that Xiaomi Group had little to do with this person, but he was actually wrong.
It doesn't matter, there is no direct relationship, but there really isn't an indirect relationship.
He developed the artificial SEI film, the lithium-sulfur battery, and the country's top graphene/carbon nanomaterial preparation technology, high-temperature/room-temperature superconducting materials, etc...
There is also the smart driving agreement that is about to be signed with that Chuanhai Network Technology Company... These Xiaomi Group are actually using it.
The technology he developed has long been involved in all aspects of the Xiaomi Group, but most of the time there is only one or several layers of separation.
After gathering his emotions, Lei Jun came back to his senses, smiled, and said, "Then I'm even more curious. I wonder why Academician Xu came to me this time?"
Although he had long known in his heart that Xiaomi probably had no chance to participate in the research and development of carbon-based chips, when Xu Chuan refused, he was still regretful.
However, as Xu Chuan said, Xiaomi is not taking the path of independent research and development.
If there is a chance to participate, he will invest, but if there is no chance, he will not force it.
Xu Chuan took the initiative to find him, which meant that there was indeed something related to him or Xiaomi, and he most likely needed help.
Being able to eat this part and establish a connection with this person, for him, taking this trip today is enough.
