Reuters is reporting this morning that the world's #7 and #8 microprocessor manufacturers jointly announced they will be collaborating on developing new production techniques that can reduce cost and increase efficiency.
"As advances in semiconductor process technologies become more complex, time consuming and expensive, the joint development will allow the companies to share burdens and accelerate development, while raising system LSI performance and quality," they said in a joint statement.
Chip makers are now trying to move to chip circuitry widths of 90 nanometres, or billionths of a meter, as advanced design provides smaller and higher-density chips at lower unit costs.
Process technologies for 65 and 45 nanometres are now under development.
(Reuters)
