IBM and Rapidus have signed a joint development agreement to advance logic scaling technology as part of Japan’s initiatives to become a world leader in semiconductor research, development and manufacturing. Rapidus is a company engaged in the research, development, design, manufacture and sale of advanced logic semiconductors and was established with the backing of major Japanese companies. As part of this agreement, Rapidus and IBM will further develop IBM’s 2-nanometer (nm) node technology for implementation by Rapidus at its fab in Japan.

The work will benefit from IBM’s expertise in semiconductor research and design. In 2021, IBM announced that it had developed the world’s first 2-nm node chip, which is expected to achieve 45% better performance or 75% higher power efficiency than leading 7-nm chips.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce today that Rapidus has officially partnered with IBM for the joint development of 2nm node technology. This is a much-desired international collaboration that is essential for Japan to once again play a vital role in the semiconductor supply chain. I am fully convinced that this collaboration will pave the way toward our goal of contributing to the welfare of mankind through advanced logic semiconductors produced with technologies jointly developed with IBM.”

Says Atsuyoshi Koike, president and CEO of Rapidus, in a press release.

As part of this agreement, Rapidus scientists and engineers will work alongside IBM Japan and IBM researchers at the Albany NanoTech Complex, owned and operated by NY CREATES in Albany, New York, one of the most advanced semiconductor research facilities in the world.

“This collaboration is key to ensuring a geographically balanced global supply chain for advanced semiconductors, built across a vibrant ecosystem of like-minded companies and nations,”

Says Dario Gil, senior vice president and research director at IBM.

Rapidus expects to begin mass production of its 2nm technology in the second half of the 2020s.