Rapidus announced that the logic density index of 2HP 2nm process is higher than TSMC N2 and far exceeds Intel 18A

Japan is the world leader in semiconductor materials, but due to the lack of a complete industrial chain, the process has been unknown. However, in recent years, with the strong support of the Japanese government, Japan has begun to exert efforts in process.

Japanese start-up wafer foundry company Rapidus recently announced the logic density indicators of its 2HP 2nm process, which surprisingly surpassed TSMC N2 and was far better than Intel 18A.

It is reported that,Rapidus 2HP's logic transistor density is 237.31 million per square millimeter, which is slightly higher than TSMC N2's 236.17 million, with a margin of less than 5%. The card is very accurate.

There is no official data on the transistor density of Intel 18A, but it is estimated to be about 184.21 million per square millimeter., Japan wins by nearly 30%!

As for a series of 3nm processes such as TSMC N3B/E/P, Intel 3, and Samsung 3GAP, they are even beyond their reach.

In addition, Rapidus 2HP's cell library includes an HD high-density library with a height of 138 cells and a pitch of G45.

But what is doubtful is thatTechInsights, an authoritative semiconductor analysis organization, previously analyzed that in terms of high-density logic transistor density indicators, TSMC N2 actually achieved 313 million per square millimeter, Intel 18A also has 238 million, and even Samsung 2GAA is not bad at about 231 million.

These data are much higher than what Japan has promoted.

It should also be pointed out thatThe transistor density of Intel 18A is significantly lower than that of TSMC N2, which does not mean that its level is worse, but that it uses a new back-side power supply technology that occupies some front metal layers, resulting in low logic density.

At the same time, Intel's main pursuit is not maximum density, but maximum energy efficiency.

In general,If the data released by Rapidus is true, it at least shows that Japan's 2nm process has reached a very high level, but surpassing TSMC and Intel is still open to question, especially since this is an emerging company.

Rapidus 2HP PDK (Process Design Kit) will be available in the first quarter of 2026 and is planned to be put into mass production in 2027, but it is not clear what chip it will be used for.