Intel and Micron release first 20nm Flash memory

Intel and Micron are rolling out their smallest-ever architecture for fabricating flash memory chips.

The companies said they would be using a 20nm process to develop a line of NAND memory chips. The 8GB chips will target the solid-state hard drive and embedded storage markets.

Using the smaller process, the chipmakers are able to fabricate smaller, denser chips with greater energy efficiency. Intel said that the companies plan to begin production of the 20nm NAND chips in the second half of the year. The firms also expect to soon unveil a 16GB capacity chip.

In addition to the improvements in performance and capacity, the smaller fabrication method allows more efficient production of chips and reduced manufacturing costs.

"Our goal is to enable instant, affordable access to the world's information," said Intel non-volatile memory solutions vice president and general manager Tom Rampone.

"Industry-leading NAND gives Intel the ability to provide the highest quality and most cost-effective solutions to our customers, generation after generation."

Shrinking the fabrication process has long been a primary goal for the Intel and Micron partnership. In 2009, the firms unveiled a 34nm flash chip, and last year the they rolled out the first 25nm memory chips.