SK Hynix has decided a development code for its 10-nano range D-RAM to be ‘Alius’ and is currently developing it.
SK Hynix has named its first 10-nano range (1 x nano) D-RAM as Alius which means ‘a different world’ in Latin. It has SK Hynix’s intention of trying to overcome technical limitations and create new memory markets.
Difficulties in developing and mass-producing 10-nano range D-RAM are considered as ‘unbreakable barrier’ in memory industries. When range of circuits is shortened, area of cells that are the smallest units of memories is also shortened. D-RAM stores charges while a capacitor that recognizes difference between 0 and 1 is placed on top of a cell. It is difficult to maintain capacity of a capacitor when an area of a cell is shortened. When capacitors are placed vertically, they are easily collapsed and this results in harmful effect on yields. Difficulties regarding increase in noise, leakage of charges, carving of patterns on circuits are also tasks that need to be solved.
“SK Hynix named development codes for 2y(25)-nano and 2z(21)-nano D-RAMs regarding constellation names.” said a representative for this industry “Fact that development codes have changed as SK Hynix is starting to develop 10-nano range D-RAMs indicates that it is that much difficult to development such D-RAMs.”
Although SK Hynix has yet to announce timing for mass-production of Alius, it announced that it will increase in investments for R&D and shorten development period.
Current major D-RAMs for SK Hynix are 2y(25)-nano products that have development code of Polaris. Polaris indicates North Pole that had given directions for travelers in deserts. SK Hynix gave development code of Polaris for 2y-nano products because it wanted them to present direction of development in the future.
Development code for 2z(21)-nano products is Deneb that indicates ‘brightest star’ since its absolute magnitude is the highest out of all stars. SK Hynix gave this development code because it wanted 2z-nano products to make best SK Hynix. Deneb, which is currently being produced more and more, is the SK Hynix’s major D-RAM for next generation.
Development code for 2x(29)-nano D-RAM, which was SK Hynix’s best product, was Huma. Huma indicates ‘unbelievable and enormous bird’ in Persian and there was a common saying that a person that has Huma sit on his head would become a king. SK Hynix wanted Huma to help lead SK Hynix to become the ‘king’ in semiconductor industries. Actually this wish actually had happened somewhat. Between 2014 and 2015 when 2x-nano D-RAMs were major products for SK Hynix, SK Hynix recorded its best performance.
SK Hynix gave names of most popular South Korean and foreign mountains as development codes until 20-nano range NAND-Flashes. After giving names like Halla, Baekdu, Geumgang, Makalu, Kangchenjunga, and K2, SK Hynix gave a development code of Everest (8848m), which is the world’s highest mountain, for 20-nano NAND-Flash.
Characteristic of development codes changed starting from 16-nano products. Development code of 16-nano NAND-Flash is quasar that is a huge luminous body that is formed from energy that a black hole uses to swallow up surrounding materials. It gave a development code of Apollo, who comes out in Roman mythology, for 3D NAND-Flash.
Staff Reporter Han, Juyeop | powerusr@etnews.com