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<_Sync_>
diginet: it is far cheaper to get professional masks done
<_Sync_>
pretty cheap at 500nm
<diginet>
how much would a 500nm set cost?
<_Sync_>
a single mask runs about 200-300€
<diginet>
where would I buy these?
<_Sync_>
we're getting our masks from vistec
<_Sync_>
but yeah a direct exposure system would be neat
<diginet>
_Sync_: so how much do you think it would cost to produce something like say, an 8-bit microcontroller at 500nm?
<_Sync_>
err
<_Sync_>
still quite a lot, if you actually want working micros :D
<diginet>
I guess I was under the understanding that the masks were the most expensive parts, I guess not?
<_Sync_>
it probably is the most expensive single direct item apart from machinery
<_Sync_>
but the thing is you will invest quite a lot of money until you get your process stable
<_Sync_>
lets say you need 20 masks or something, then you are at 4k for the masks
<_Sync_>
given your layout is perfect from the beginning
<diginet>
well for example cmp.imag.fr offers a MPW service for 350nm. It's about 2000 euros for 20 chips I think
<_Sync_>
then you buy wafers in 25 boxes for around 300-2500€ each
<diginet>
yeah
<diginet>
so let me approach the question from a different angle: for something like a mid-line 8-bit microcontroller, how many would you need to make to get below, say, $10/chip
<diginet>
?
<_Sync_>
that's an interesting question
<_Sync_>
my gut feeling is around 10k
<diginet>
yeah I've been trying to research it, but it's difficult to get conclusive answers
<diginet>
I see
<_Sync_>
10-100k I guess, I can ask some people that know the answer
<diginet>
that would be great, thanks
<diginet>
I think if somehow the cost could be brought down to something like $1000 for 100 chips, that would open up a lot of doora
<diginet>
*doors
<diginet>
$1,000 is pretty doable for crowdfunding/group buys
<_Sync_>
well, there is companies that optimize exactly in that but they cannot get the cost down that much
<diginet>
hmm
<diginet>
is there anyone still doing general purpose 1micron?
<diginet>
And more importantly, would there be any meaningful price break for something at that range?
<_Sync_>
sure, there are plenty of fabs doing 1µ
<diginet>
do you think 1u is substantially cheaper than 350nm?