AlixLabs AB, a Lund, Sweden-based company pioneering a process that aims to enable more cost-effective leading-edge chip manufacturing, has closed a €14.1 million ($16.2M) series A funding round. The investment will accelerate the development and scaling of the company's proprietary atomic layer etching pitch splitting (APS) technology. According to the company, it will begin to accelerate APS beta testing with key customers next year. AlixLabs targets commercial manufacturing implementation by 2027. New funding will allow AlixLabs to expand its operations and accelerate its push to commercialize its atomic layer etching pitch splitting technology. Courtesy of AlixLabs. AlixLabs describes itself as a pure-play atomic layer etch (ALE) company; APS technology, according to the company's website, splits nanoscale features on semiconductor wafers into even smaller structures using what it calls an extreme form of ALE. This process leverages the properties of the sidewalls of nanoscale features, which act as a topographical mask during etching, according to AlixLabs. By utilizing ALE, APS can accurately and efficiently create extremely fine features, with critical dimensions At the same time, the technology is complementary to existing lithography techniques, such as deep-ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet lithography as well as self-aligned double and quadruple patterning. ALE technology reduces surface roughness and line-edge roughness, both of which are major issues after advanced lithography processes. The raised proceeds will additionally be used to expand the company’s R&D and production capacity and deepen collaboration with foundry partners. AlixLabs, in addition to its Lund location, also plans to boost production capacity in the Netherlands as a result of the funding.