Micron Technology, the largest memory chip maker in the United States, announced on Wednesday that the company will lay off about 10% of its workforce in 2023 and stop paying bonuses. It’s another sign that slowing growth in the tech sector is hurting employment.
As part of the reduction in capital expenditures, it is reported that Micron will postpone the 1γ nm process DRAM using EUV lithography until 2025, and the NAND node after 232 layers will also be postponed.
Micron’s 1γ manufacturing technology was originally scheduled to launch sometime in 2024, but because Micron has to reduce spending on new equipment in fiscal 2023 and 2024, and reduce DRAM bit shipments, it will have to slow down DRAM in its 1β and 1 gamma manufacturing technology growth rate.
The company’s latest 1β manufacturing node-bit density has increased by 35% and power efficiency has increased by 15%, but this technology still relies on deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography.
In contrast, Samsung and SK Hynix already use EUV lithography for multiple layers in their 4th generation 10nm class memory technology (1α, 1-alpha) and plan to further enhance their 5th generation 10nm class DRAM use in nodes.
“Given our decision to slow production of 1β (1-Beta) DRAM, we expect our 1γ (1-gamma) technology to be available in 2025,” Micron said. the next NAND node to accommodate the new demand outlook and required supply growth.”
