A Chinese startup, Prinano, claims to have validated mass production of photonic chips using nanoimprint lithography...

A Chinese startup, Prinano, claims to have validated mass production of photonic chips using nanoimprint lithography (NIL) without DUV equipment, potentially reducing ASML's addressable market in China for certain chip types (Tom's Hardware, SCMP). While the technology targets photonic rather than advanced logic chips, and Prinano's claims are unverified by independent sources, the development signals a potential long-term alternative to ASML's DUV systems for specific applications. ASML's monopoly in advanced lithography remains intact, but any successful circumvention of export controls via alternative lithography could pressure ASML's future revenue from Chinese customers. Spillover entities include SMIC and other Chinese fabs that might adopt NIL, and global foundries like TSMC and Samsung that monitor such developments.