ASML's Secret: An exclusive view from inside the global semiconductor giant | VPRO Documentary

In The Netherlands stands one of the world's biggest drivers of technological progress: ASML. It supplies machines that make chips on a scale of just a few nanometers. And the world is crying out for chips.
ASML makes the most advanced machine in the world; the lithography machine to make computer chips. And with chips as a strategic asset, ASML and its machine are at the center of the world geo-political stage. What is ASML's secret, and who are the people who build this wondrous machine?
VPRO Backlight gained access to the ins and outs of the high-tech company and followed a number of employees. Due to the high demand for chips, chip manufacturers are expanding rapidly. ASML also has to scale up at the same pace. The company hires a hundred new employees every week and tries to attract technical talent from all over the world to Veldhoven.
At the same time, ASML has become a geopolitical plaything, due to the global shortage of chips and the dominance that chip production entails. How is this outside pressure having an impact inside ASML's walls?
Directed by Kees Brouwer
Research: Arnout Arens
Editing: Jouke Dubel
Production: Marie Schutgens
Final editing: Doke Romeijn, Geert Rozinga
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[@masoudsiddiqi2403]

As some who works for ASML, I love the tech and the people I work with. They are very smart and the tech is unbelievable advance. Proud to be ASML employee.

[@guilldea]

Could you give some insight in how to land a job at ASML? Thank you :)

[@masoudsiddiqi2403]

​@@guilldea try to apply for service engineering position or install/upgrade engineer which we call is URI (uninstall, Relocate and install). it requires a lot of travelling. Best wishes

[@guilldea]

@@masoudsiddiqi2403 Thank you! Will do :)

[@JoeRichardRules]

Thank you for what you do

[@mariansirbu867]

Excuse me please, what exactly does each letter in this ASML name mean??? Thanks in advance for your answer

[@redhidinghood9337]

This is absolutely insane. Such an honor for the journalist team being able to get into the plant, and for us viewers to see it as well

[@abelashenafi6291]

Just applied for a job at ASML after watching this video. What an Amazing company

[@konstantinboev7018]

hope you get the job ^^

[@abelashenafi6291]

@@konstantinboev7018 Thank YOU for your kind wishes.

[@masoudsiddiqi2403]

Welcome to ASML. Great company to work for. ASML CSE :)

[@abelashenafi6291]

@@masoudsiddiqi2403 Thanks but they replied they got a better candidate. I was applying for an Embedded Systems position. I'll try next time. Thanks for your support though

[@YangwanAuto]

I am happy you did NOT got that job!! No to islamic racist and homophobic bye bye

[@mariotobias5918]

ASML: We always have to assume there are spies. ASML: Uses Thinkpad for their computers.

[@BraveNewWorldSH]

Or what? Use Macs that are built in China?

[@Crazy--Clown]

Cheap

[@mprkayew4286]

The genius of the Dutch. Such an amazing company with the future of the World in its hands. Thanks for a great insight into this unique company

[@ssotkow]

Over 120 countries are represented at ASML. Vital components used by ASML's EUV/DUV lithography machines are based in the States and abroad. Yes, this Dutch company relies on outsourcing global suppliers too, despite being a critical supplier of Samsung, TSMC, and Intel.

[@bouchechhamdi816]

When i was in the Netherlands, they were hiring 200 new employees per month, crazy.

[@altduarte2252]

This is the best documentary about ASML that I have seen. Congratulations to all the people that produced it.

[@TWbyAIPAC]

Europe needs more of this. Good job!

[@paullb2440]

“I would leave a company with those values right away”….I know the Dutch are famously direct but that was unnecessarily confrontational.

[@vinzent1992]

7:30 I absolutely love how well he explains how a computer works in the simplest terms which everyone can understand, while being clear and concise. I'm an electrical engineer and when people ask me such questions I just give up because I know that they will be sleeping before I'm done explaining.

[@scarfo441]

That's the mark of a real teacher..

[@kyks6771]

Respect..the company, the work, the culture, the CEO & VP with their thinking, their values reflected, humbleness & pride🚀🎶

[@andrewbellinger6120]

amazing that people who speak Klingon have such advanced technology

[@dalsenov]

You are very biased.

[@PatrickBatefan]

😂

[@aguzman222]

thank you - can't stop laughing :)😆😆

[@Birch37]

The 'Heading' says ASML Number 1 Chip maker? They don't make semiconductors at all. They make the machines.

[@The8224sm]

Thank you for a great presentation. In a way, the world revolves around ASML and TSMC, these two companies are the seed from which our society grows.

[@JigilJigil]

Not really, the world would be fine without TSMC, but without Intel and AMD it would be a different scenario, plus you can make chips without ASML but you can't make chips without Applied Materials, there are many fabs in the world without any ASML equipment in them but you can't find a single fab in the world without Applied Materials equipment.

[@George-nc4yc]

I wish to thank the extraordinary litho team at ASML and the people that made this presentation. I have seen miracles in my time!

[@j121212100]

Throughout history the Netherlands has always been on the leading edge of optics.

[@sirog]

Great documentary. And chapeau to the Dutch for taking care of such a gold mine in such a professional way.

[@arizonawut]

The reporter said he would leave a company right away if their values were “challenge, collaborate, care”😂😂😂 Dude sounds like a real winner…

[@CALCOBRA94]

Wow the amount of talented gifted intelligent and young ASML employees!! Mind blowing 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@robertprawendowski2850]

Accuracy of ASML machines is truly impressive. There are no real competitors for them ob the global market. Its interesting that they are indispensable for a global supply of semicontuctors. Chip Market is dominanted by companies from America and Asia, but europeans still deal cards, especially in that niche.

[@dianapennepacker6854]

Carl Ziess ‐ makes the insane mirrors used by ASLM is an other important manufacturer in Germany. Not sure if anyone else can do it.

[@JigilJigil]

@@dianapennepacker6854 There are a bunch of other companies both in Europe and US capable of making similar mirrors, they are not the hardest part.

[@daspec]

This is not a documentary for hi-tech, its a 1-hour long invitation for nerds to go and work at nerd paradise! ^_^

[@robertpearson8546]

The best feedback to the designers is from the assembly techs. They are the first to see a problem.

[@CALCOBRA94]

Man they speaking a different level of language. I can not wrap my head around this very complicated machine. This ppl are VERY GIFTED. My GOD.

[@CALCOBRA94]

What do they see in those ENGINEERS EYES as they gazed upon the unfinished product???

[@VendettaProspecting]

miriam is stunning

[@krampfkeks7737]

thank you for this wonderful documentary! also thanks to asml and its people to show us, what kind of magic they are able to do. i‘ve heard about this company and its essential technology, but never really knew what they do. now i have a profound understanding of their work and am highly inspired by their philosophy and professional culture. please keep documentaries like these coming!

[@atanacioluna292]

Amazing! This is one of the most amazing videos I have seen in a while. Thanks for a fun tour of this esoteric world.

[@HawkinsOkeyoEng]

@16:08 it is either she misspoke or the translator was lost in translation. To correct it: "the tin is fired at by the laser at 50,000 per second" and not per day.

[@dawid4190]

14:50 - "putting a man on the man" - from a technological standpoint, is indeed really hard thing to perform

[@maxxlindley9425]

as always, your documentaries are so well done , and I learn so much ...

[@trevortherefinegroup]

Absolutely incredible company and a brilliant documentary about them! I appreciate that the team covered such a wide range of subjects, from founding, to leadership, obviously technology, culture and more 👏

[@boombot934]

Beautiful example of cooperation this company is👍!

[@pikadumonde8389]

Leuk dat je toch ook nog Nederlands hoort spreken naast het Engels in een wereldklasse bedrijf.

[@JimFeig]

Can you also do a video on their optics supplier? They are another interesting and critical part of the chip supply chain.

[@jackinsonpablanes760]

really? Can you elaborate on that?

[@OscarGonzalez-qm9qw]

@@jackinsonpablanes760 I think it is called zeiss. It is a german company. DW has a documentary on them.

[@FaultyGlitch]

This is amazing its breathtaking how far humanity has come and what we have developed it's mind blowing how these machines are even made.

[@stanleychukwu7424]

wow!!! I watched every single seconds of this video and I'm proud of humans like this! I'm also inspired!

[@windmill1965]

Mooie documentaire VPRO! Een plezier om naar te kijken.

[@MarcinMoka1]

These are such brilliant, fascinating people. Respect!!!

[@kaisersozajunior8650]

This is the most complex piece of machinery ever invented. It's mind boggling

[@johnruuu]

That you are aware of.

[@platin2148]

And there isn’t really a single company in Europe who buys these machines that isn’t actually a US,Tawain,China based company. Or wait there is BOSCH.

[@paulkazibacharles]

Breathtaking technology indeed. Thank you

[@JN.0711]

27:19 The Light Source is made by Trumpf in Germany, they produce the Laser who shoots the tin drops

[@JigilJigil]

No, the Light Source is designed and made by Cymer in US, the laser is designed by Cymer as well and is built by Trumpf in Germany.

[@LeonidAndrianov]

Awesome documentary about tech! The creators managed to make it well-balanced and engaging, thank you! 👏I graduated as microelectronics engineer (with honors, btw) and still remember the old-school process of chip- and PCB- making. Technologies has gone so far now... A remarkable moment at 44:33 - Challenge, Collaboration and Care - looks like CEO truly believes in it, and that resonates to me. Folks, I would add Curiosity and let's explore Mars together!🙃Space, nuclear energy, AI, advanced tech - shall be peaceful domains for the sake of humanity.

[@whatslifespurpose]

Best workplace during covid pandemic!

[@fajnalowiec]

awesome piece of documentary, a cool place to work :)

[@Pezii4u]

thx for the awesome and informative Documentary... I love to get an tour of an awesome Company like ASML :)

[@antelectric8554]

Just mind blowing. ✅

[@abirroy1333]

Creating chips for machines that creates chips Now that's recursion!

[@ishboo313]

Omg this is my dream job! A Electrical Engineers dream. Thank you for sharing,

[@naifongkoh6953]

Insane Engineering!!

[@tydolla1539]

I hate how the interviewer rudely interrupts with his very SMALL THINKING mindset! The CEO was about to drop some gems…

[@CUMBICA1970]

It's so shocking to learn that there are still technologies that can't be copied not for lack of fund but lack of, well, technology. Take that google!

[@adrienforbu5165]

Congrats to the dutch !

[@robertpearson8546]

Machines have their own personality. At TI they had an IC test machine that hated me. I would walk in, smell burning electronics, and log it out to maintenance. Maintenance would find nothing wrong and log it back in. This went on and on until the ground strap on the machine melted. A colleague would use the machine for 4 hours. I would walk into the room, and it would immediately go down. TI finally hired a technician for me so I did not have to go into that room.

[@YangwanAuto]

Lol no

[@kurandsmapagmahal.t.v]

Never forget about safety. Use Softgle Comfort

[@user-pe7rb6ji3o]

amazed to see what company my uncle build up

[@user-rl1hv3rd9g]

ASML, the fantastic 👍

[@timeamkane2096]

I'm sad the CT, USA plant was not mentioned here, we build a big portion of the machine and have a huge D&E presence

[@Erik-gg2vb]

What is the CT, USA plant? I think the tin droplet assembly is made in Sad Diego.

[@timeamkane2096]

@@Erik-gg2vb it's in Wilton, CT amd we make half the machine there

[@YangwanAuto]

​@@timeamkane2096 CT???

[@dalsenov]

I read that ASML has around 800 collaborators.They acknowledged here they are an integrator. Obviously they didn't mention every collaborator or supplier that make the ecosystem. There's no point in doing this!

[@JigilJigil]

@@dalsenov The technology originally was developed by US National labs and American private companies, EUV light source, the most critical part and also the most complicated part of the EUV system comes form an American company, it's not like those suppliers that supply valves or wires.

[@ricerob]

There's no contrast on the subtitles they can't be read didn't you prove this before you posted it or called it finished why not a voice over instead of subtitles

[@nothingiswritten1]

If you want to see a great short video on how the EV Lithograph actually works, look up: 'The Extreme Physics Pushing Moore’s Law to the Next Level'

[@yellowChupacabra]

There would still be chips without ASML, just not the ones that depend on EUV

[@CatFish107]

"Already has to walk 20 minutes in high heels to get to her office" Bravo. Gripping writing here. Glad you took the time to bring us such insights.

[@p__jay]

whats your problem? they only highlighted that it is a huge complex where they work!

[@9HighFlyer9]

It probably sounded/meant different in Dutch before it was translated.

[@denni_isl1894]

ASML secret is probably networking. Btw. this is one of the best video I have seen on youtube.

[@lupuszzz]

15:18: The most ingenious people in the world work here. It won't be long before they discover the principles of length measurements and parallelism.

[@rickghaly]

Wow! That installation "owner". Rock star. 👏

[@Castorp-wn7dh]

"There's only one company in the world that can make it: ASML in Veldhoven". This will, of course, eventually change, like with every other product in the world.

[@kennyycy]

Interesting, the CEO of ASML has a picture of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor on his office wall. I wonder did the interview team had a chance to ask what’s the connection between the boss and Hong Kong. 🤔 Fascinated to learn more.

[@chefnyc]

The industry stopped using imperial system for the wafers. They don’t call it 12”, they call it 300mm. Being a European channel I would expect to see more metric system in the videos. Also it took a while for this channel to make a video about the single most industry in the world which happens to be Dutch.

[@apexaviour]

l guess they are "a relatively obscure company" 😉 hence why it took them a while. As far as errors, I'm pretty sure there's no NXE:3400-"D" machine (only B and C). And the English subtitles wrote "EV" instead of EUV and High-NA as "HNE". Minor errors, I won't hold it against them 🙂

[@MagicBoterham]

These videos are paid for by Dutch tax payers and region locked. They're intended for the world market. VPRO makes money off of the ads. I am commenting via VPN.

[@Andrew-rc3vh]

In China they call them 12". I suppose in the EU it is the regs. There is a law about that. You can't sell half a pound of butter either.

[@UNITEDstatesNEWS-]

Nice video 📹

[@alexlabs4858]

I live in a US town that will be building a $100B chip factory. Will be interesting to see how the town changes.

[@Crazy--Clown]

Yes, more meth labs

[@rally_furymoments5294]

Why are they all using ThinkPad?

[@uku4171]

9:55 making a 20 minute walk sound like a big deal.

[@JohnSanchezooDrumrBoi]

friends in portland :-)

[@aware2action]

ENIAC was once the supercomputer!. VLSI was impossible before the advent of self aligned gate MOS transistors. Imagine what the future of chip production machinery could be?🤞.

[@usmanrolibi7050]

I love science

[@c123bthunderpig]

Interesting that this video was made a year ago. How quick marketing status chanegs :-)

[@franciscovarela7127]

“without ASML there are no chips” Hyperbole. Not to take anything away from ASML as it builds the most advanced EUV lithography machines that are used by companies like TSMC to fab incredibly powerful transistor packed chips. However other vendors, e.g. Nikon, build litho machines albeit at a generation or more behind ASML’s tech. There certainly would be “chips” without ASML.

[@JigilJigil]

Yes, I think Applied Materials is the one more in that position, you can certainly make chips without ASML but you cannot make chips without Applied Materials, as they are the key manufacturer of many of the equipment in every fab.

[@msmunir2012]

Amazing Dutch...

[@JigilJigil]

A few things to know: 1 - The EUV technology was developed by United States national laboratories along with some other US-based private companies, and then ASML asked for the permission of the US government to get access to the technology and got involved in the consortium. 2 - ASML acquired the technology from US national labs, also bought a couple of US companies to develop it further. 3 - Cymer (an independent subsidiary of ASML based in California) is the provider of the EUV light source, they design, develop and make the light source which is the main technology in ASML's EUV machines. 4 - Intel has played a major role in helping ASML with the capital and implementation of their technological capabilities to make these machines a reality.

[@kalidilerious]

I'm surprised there was no mention of the old silcon valley in relation to ASML

[@TomaszJegorow]

Oh yeah, it was developed in the US but the lizard people in your government forbid you to figure out how to manufacture it. Well between "developing" and actually implementing the idea there is a huge difference.

[@robertpearson8546]

ASML needs highly technical people that are also highly creative. At Texas Instruments, my group had 24 "engineers". Only 2 bothered to read the free technical material. Only 1 read Research and Design Magazine. Who needs an X-ray mirror. Who needs a walnut-sized laser gyroscope. No one would ever want a more efficient X-ray laser for Lasic surgery. No one would ever want a 3-D mouse that tracks in 3 dimensions. At Abbott Laboratories they tried to hire 3 engineers to do the production design for an infusion pump based on a prototype from a famous west-coast "engineering company". Bryan did the mechanical engineering and I did the electrical and software engineering. They gave us specifications for size¸ weight, battery life, and cost. The time allowed was 6 months. We threw out the junk from the "engineering company". Brian designed a pole clamp. When it came time to test it (it needed to support 100 lb.), I said, “See that hat rack. Put the clamp on that. No. put it near the base.” Then I told my boss, “Now stand on it.” The clamp is rated at 1 project manager. I designed a bubble detector that actually detected bubbles. It used the critical angle of reflection to distinguish air from water. I read about a nutating stepper motor. I called the company. They asked how many do I need. I replied 5000. They choked. I told my boss, “If I decide to use that motor, we should buy the company.” I finally picked a cheap standard motor and designed a driver that gave me 9 times the rated motor performance. I designed the case so that removing 3 screws opened up the entire case for ease of maintenance. My power supply was only 97% efficient. The result was a pump that was half the size, half the weight, had 50% more battery life, and cost ⅓ the specified cost. The board of directors was afraid to put it into production. I terrified managers. I would tell them what I would build. That scared them because they knew it was impossible. Then I delivered what I promised. That scared them even more!

[@naydee]

You sound like my sil. He’s a software engineer for Magic Leap, who is moving from gaming to real world technical applications. Sometimes I ask him to explain some of the engineering situations the team is working on. My eyes glaze over as he swiftly loses me in his attempt to explain technicalities to me. I’m awed, but lost. I’m so glad guys like you all exist! I was a liberal arts major and I can’t run with y’all.

[@TehxHope]

What is that hallway that they pass through at 0:39?

[@MikeBenko]

It's a dust decontamination room. Basically they just get air blown on them to remove any dust that might cling to their clean suit.

[@GordonEngels]

! great

[@jonaswox]

The only problem is that it is always cheaper and easier to develop a technology the 2nd time around. So the price of being the leader is the massive cost, and it is unavoidable if you want to stay ahead. These inefficiencies will have to be subsidised by the government since absolute cutting edge is the most expensive and inefficient part of R&D. You can only depend on a company like ASML to keep doing so, for so long.

[@xxyy_6969]

Nureen Hoosein - Well done! I love seeing South African women leading the way in tech. Mr narrator Nelson Mandela university is in Port Elizabeth.

[@kurodetski]

Nice

[@marlbankian]

Interesting

[@warmesuppe]

@vpro documentary At 14:54 it should probably mean man on the moon.

[@mbarrio]

This is person X, as a little person was like this, and now is like this....

[@sleepEasy2]

It's not the chinese but the Taiwanese under attack like Japanese hitachi and toshiba in 80s. This will get interesting real soon lol

[@tronghungdao251]

GENIUS KEEP IT'S UP HOllAND❤❤❤😅🤩😅👍👌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@fowfowfow8363]

At 16:07, it's 50000 times a second.

[@oscardithejsne4721]

I think extra terrestrial being's wisdom is involved here. This can't be 100% human invention

[@guenthermichaels5303]

Outstanding financials. Sales doubled in 4 years. Net profit after taxes is same as Apple 25%.

[@PerryThePlatypus3]

ASML stock is a no brainer investment for the next few decades!

[@camilkegels3640]

Sure, but take the geopolitics into account

[@PerryThePlatypus3]

@@camilkegels3640 Right, like I said long term....AMAT is also a good American play on EUV machines.

[@omaryounis9113]

the semiconductors considered from the solid state physics ... from the brave iraq 🇮🇶

[@JohnDobak]

49:07 *Gothic Chanting Intensifies**

[@henrikmidteng9593]

Great documentary!! The Dutch are smart people!!!!

[@18890426]

are you??

[@lucasmancini2]

I have to check if they hire software engineers 😅 That’s hella interesting!

[@sos5455]

NMMU is in Port Elizabeth

[@ADHD55]

it's not entirely dutch the software that powers asml is made in the US , other components are made in japan and the fine lens/glass is made in germany, you could say its more of a allied/friendly nations working together

[@deniseproxima2601]

It's more they will case to exist in the future.

[@JigilJigil]

The EUV technology originally was developed by US National labs and American private companies, later ASML asked for the permission of US government to get access to the technology and got involved in the consortium, still many parts of the system come from US including it's EUV light source, which is basically the main part and also the most complicated part of the EUV system.

[@Crazy--Clown]

Its a Bitsa, bits of this bits of that

[@SydneyCarton2085]

So one cannot purchase one and have the best minds he can afford to reverse engineer it? That is amazing. I wonder if they build in self destructing measures for any attempts at probing the inside.

[@andersbjorkman8666]

By the time it was reverse engineered ASML would already have made the machine obsolete with a newer model.