TSMC, the world's leading manufacturer of advanced chips for phones and other devices, has revealed its newest cutting-edge chip technology with an effective transistor size of just 1.6nm. Current flagship chips from Apple and Qualcomm use TSMC's 3nm technology. TSMC also has multiple 2nm "nodes" (technologies) in the works. Smaller nodes offer greater performance and efficiency. Achieving such densities requires creative new transistor structures. The new 1.6nm process uses gate-all-around (GAA) and a new backside power delivery network dubbed Super Power Rail. TSMC calls the new process "A16" and devices using the chips are expected to reach the market in 2027.
