Strategic Opportunities for U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing

Abstract

Semiconductors are critical to our Nation’s economic growth, national security, and public health and safety. Revolutionary advances in microelectronics continue to drive innovations in communications, information technology, health care, military systems, transportation, energy, and infrastructure. The potential for microelectronics to create transformational change is growing exponentially as they become smaller, faster, and more sophisticated—delivering unprecedented performance. Next-generation systems, devices, and related technologies are critical to addressing society’s most urgent needs. The nation that leads in microelectronics research, development, and manufacturing will lead in defining and reaping the benefits from dynamic shifts in technology. The ability to cost-effectively manufacture complex next-generation microelectronics devices and integrate them in novel systems and packages is a growing challenge, compounded by ever-greater requirements for performance, functionality, and security. To strengthen the U.S. position in semiconductors, Congress authorized a set of programs known as the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (CHIPS Act) as part of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. No. 116-283). These programs would help restore U.S. leadership in microelectronics manufacturing and ensure America’s supply of leading-edge products by providing incentives and encouraging investment to expand production capacity and grow the innovation ecosystem for microelectronics research and development (R&D). Leveraging decades of experience in next generation devices, systems, and related technologies, NIST has a specific role authorized under the CHIPS Act to undertake critical metrology R&D that will strengthen the domestic semiconductor industry.