“Semiconductors play a pivotal role in AI transformation, acting as a catalyst for the advancement of numerous industries. A retrospective review of semiconductor development reveals that the current dominant design is dictated by mask technology. Innovations in mask‐related technologies—such as Phase-Shift Masks (PSM), pellicles, automated inspection, data formats, e-beam lithography, and the optimized mask size—have enabled ultra-high yields and large-scale manufacturing.”
“For more than five decades, semiconductor progress has been driven primarily by Moore’s Law, focusing on device pitch shrinkage. However, the emergence of advanced packaging and multi-die architectures has fostered the growth of “More-Than-Moore” technologies that emphasize system-level optimization in addition to traditional scaling. Masks will inevitably remain a cornerstone of both “More-Moore” and “More-Than-Moore” pathways.”
“Nevertheless, the mask industry is constrained by a limited ecosystem of participants, which introduces risks to continued innovation. The market’s modest size, coupled with escalating technical difficulty and capital requirements, compounds these risks, while divergent development directions further exacerbate uncertainty.”
“A survey of 16 leading mask suppliers indicates a consensus that establishing a Mask Roadmap Committee is essential for sustained progress, and that collaborative efforts among stakeholders are required to achieve this goal.”
Jin Choi, Samsung, EMLC 2026 in Germany