A 38C3 talk on how advanced chips are made, centered on EUV lithography and the global supply chain behind it. It covers technical challenges from raw materials to finished chips and the geopolitical weight of semiconductors.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN users recommend it as an excellent, accessible overview of how modern chips are produced and why EUV matters.
“I can highly recommend this to everybody who is "somehow in tech or IT”HN comment, 2026
“Here is also a presentation of ~45min at CCC / Germany (in English language) which I highly recommend to watch”
Explains how laser shots shape tin for EUV light
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LOL, I recommend highly to everyone who thinks a startup can challenge ASML this 1.38min video: link Its an industrial flight video through a ASML TWIN Exe HighNAV. Here is also a presentation of ~45min at CCC / Germany (in English language) which I highly recommend to watch: this video Especially the explanation how they use two milisecond laser shots to first molt the tin and then distribute it symetrically(!!!) with a second shot across the surface. There IS NO chance that this startup will be able to somehow compete, if even Chinese state actors cant do it (yet).
Strongly recommendsKellyCriterionFeb 2026
“I can highly recommend this to everybody who is "somehow in tech or IT”
Excellent overview of how chips are produced
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There is an excellent video from German CCC on how chips are produced from their last convention: this video I can highly recommend this to everybody who is "somehow in tech or IT"
Strongly recommendsbrokenmachineApr 2026
“Absolutely insane stuff.”
A mind-blowing talk on advanced chips and global dominance
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This was the one that did it for me: "38C3 - From Silicon to Sovereignty: How Advanced Chips Are Redefining Global Dominance" this video Absolutely insane stuff.
RecommendspaulirishMar 2025
“A recent CCC talk covered the current state of EUV lithography (really well)”
Covers current EUV lithography well, with ASML machine rendering
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A recent CCC talk covered the current state of EUV lithography (really well): this video This timecode has rendering of the ASML machine in action. (edit: the same one madspindel posted, oops! The rest of the talk def worth a watch)
RecommendsmkleczekJan 2026
“describes it really well”
Describes chip technology's importance for defense
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With current military technology it is not really possible, isn't it? this video describes it really well. So the question is more about what part of means of defense you outsource. And what parts of means of defense are outsourced by your enemies. You don't want to base your defense on inferior shipbuilding capabilities, do you?
