ASML, a major semiconductor-equipment company by market capitalization, was founded in 1984 as a joint venture between Philips and ASM International.
The venture was created in the Netherlands to develop advanced photolithography systems, machines that transfer intricate circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers. Its name originally stood for “Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography,” although the company now generally uses ASML as its official name.
ASML’s equipment became increasingly important as chipmakers placed more transistors into smaller areas. The company is especially known for extreme ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography systems, which use extremely short-wavelength light to print some of the most demanding layers in advanced chips.
A frequent misconception is that ASML manufactures the processors found in phones and computers. It does not. ASML makes the machines used by chip manufacturers, including leading foundries and integrated-device companies. Its headquarters are in Veldhoven, Netherlands, and its supply chain includes highly specialized partners across Europe, Asia, and the United States.