By using a technique called "computational scaling," IBM has unveiled a strategy to produce future chips based on a 22nm fabrication process. The idea is to do so by avoiding a complete overhaul of current manufacturing techniques. While 32nm chips are expected to debut as early as 2009, chipmakers are hitting a brick wall in that the current generation of lithographic methods are inadequate for 22nm designs as a result of fundamental physical limitations. At 22nm, resulting internal components would be less than half the size of the smallest PC processors at 45nm. Indeed, Intel has only recently applied the 45nm manufacturing process across its entire product line.
For more on IBM's 22nm technology:
- check out this PC Authority News article [1]
Links:
[1] http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/123142,ibm-unveils-technology-for-22nm-chips.aspx