Speedrunning 30yrs of lithography technology
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN points to it as an example of hobbyist, at-home integrated circuit fabrication.
What it is
Breaking Taps tries to build semiconductor fabrication capability at home, working through decades of lithography history while chasing one-micrometer features. It documents the equipment, process steps and many setbacks along the way.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2024 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Cites zeckalpha · 2024-09 · on “Have you ever seen soldering this close? [video]”
Yes, and I've seen closer even on YouTube recently. [this video] The isometric view camera is neat though!
Cites pragma_x · 2024-11 · on “Hacker Fab”
FWIW, there _is_ work being done on the hobby front for IC fabrication "at home". We're still far from buying a miniature chip-fab-in-a-box product, but current technology makes yesterday's tech far more affordable. We're on our way. Example: [this video]
Cites aeonik · 2025-01 · on “Reverse-engineering a carry-lookahead adder in the Pentium”
While it's not "easy", I was surprised to learn recently that DIY microprocessors are far more accessible than I thought. Here is BreakingTaps fabricating home made chips, he has a fair bit of equipment though [this video] There a a few different techniques that can be used. Most of the lithography techniques use Hydrofluoric Acid, but if you are okay with slower build times you can etch the circuits directly with Ion beams or Electron Beams. But the short story is you need an overhead projector, a microscope, and a few gnarly chemicals. Otherwise fairly straightforward.