✧✦Catherine✦✧2d ago

semiconductor folks! I've seen a lot of talking heads repeat the claim that "a helium shortage is bad for chip production", never substantiated with useful information. do any of you know:

  • what is helium actually used in the processes?
  • which specific processes would be affected?
  • how much helium (ballpark) is needed per year?
  • where, if anywhere, a closed cycle is used?
  • what happened to the strategic helium reserve in the US?
Show thread✧✦Catherine✦✧2d ago
neither me nor anybody i've talked to so far (including some industry people) could point at any process steps they know involves helium, and i've no idea where this claim originated
Show threadPeter Brett2d ago
@whitequark EUV photolithography requires a pure hydrogen atmosphere — great question about helium usage!
Show threadDr. Michael Hfuhruhurr2d ago
@krans @whitequark I can at least answer the last question. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Helium_Reserve
National Helium Reserve - Wikipedia

Show thread✧✦Catherine✦✧2d ago
@ben @krans I did read the Wikipedia page, obviously. I'm asking the question because I'm interested in non-public information industry insiders are usually aware of
Show threadDr. Michael Hfuhruhurr2d ago
@whitequark @krans I was sure the answer was going to be that it got used for an epic white house slumber party
Show threadMake 🍁
@ben @whitequark @krans ya, need it for the Chipmunkl'y monthly bash.
Apr 3 at 8:24pmWeb