A New Era for Next-Gen Chips: Scientists Overcome Long-Standing Challenge in Producing Indium Selenide at Scale

In a groundbreaking achievement that could redefine the future of chip manufacturing, Chinese researchers have successfully developed a novel method to mass-produce high-quality indium selenide, commonly referred to as the “golden semiconductor.” This breakthrough has significant implications for the production of next-generation chips, which could surpass the limits of current silicon-based technology and cater to the increasing demand for advanced materials in fields such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and smart devices.

Led by scientists from Peking University and Renmin University of China, the research team published their findings in the prestigious journal Science on Friday. The study addresses a longstanding challenge in the semiconductor world: how to produce indium selenide at scale while maintaining its delicate atomic structure and ideal 1:1 elemental ratio.

According to Professor Liu Kaihui from Peking University’s School of Physics, the traditional method of producing indium selenide has always been plagued by difficulties in maintaining the material’s precise atomic structure. However, the research team’s new technique has overcome this hurdle by heating an amorphous indium selenide film and solid indium in sealed conditions. This process creates a liquid interface at the film’s edge that gradually transforms into well-structured indium selenide crystals, guaranteeing the correct atomic ratio and enabling large-area crystal growth.

As a result, the team successfully produced 5-centimeter-diameter indium selenide wafers and built high-performance transistor arrays ready for integration into real-world chip devices. Reviewers at Science praised the research as “an advancement in crystal growth,” highlighting not only scientific innovation but also China’s growing capability to shape the future of global semiconductors.

The breakthrough has significant implications for China’s strategic push to localize and upgrade its semiconductor supply chain, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions and technology restrictions. While the West focuses on scaling AI through silicon-based models, China’s materials science community may have just laid the groundwork for a paradigm shift, one atom at a time.

Implications for the Future of Chip Manufacturing

The development of a method to mass-produce indium selenide has far-reaching implications for the future of chip manufacturing. With the ability to produce high-quality indium selenide at scale, China’s semiconductor industry can now focus on developing next-generation chips that surpass the limits of current silicon-based technology.

These new chips will be faster, cooler, and more efficient, making them ideal for applications in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and smart devices. The breakthrough also underscores China’s growing capability to shape the future of global semiconductors, a critical component of the country’s strategic push to localize and upgrade its semiconductor supply chain.

China’s Growing Capability in Semiconductors

China’s growing capability in semiconductors is a significant development for the country’s technological ambitions. With the successful development of a method to mass-produce indium selenide, China can now focus on developing its own advanced semiconductor technologies, reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers.

The breakthrough is also a testament to China’s growing investment in research and development, particularly in the fields of materials science and semiconductor technology. By investing in cutting-edge research, China is positioning itself as a leader in the global semiconductor industry, with significant implications for the country’s economic and technological development.

A New Era for China’s Semiconductor Industry

The breakthrough in mass-producing indium selenide marks a new era for China’s semiconductor industry, one that is characterized by innovation, investment, and growth. As the country continues to invest in research and development, it is likely to see significant advancements in its semiconductor capabilities, with far-reaching implications for its economic and technological development.

With the ability to produce high-quality indium selenide at scale, China’s semiconductor industry can now focus on developing next-generation chips that surpass the limits of current silicon-based technology. This breakthrough is a significant step towards China’s goal of becoming a global leader in semiconductors, a critical component of the country’s strategic push to upgrade its semiconductor supply chain.