U.S government awards Gelsinger-backed EUV developer xLight with $150 million in federal incentives — company to develop new electron-based light source for lithography tools

xLight, a startup backed by Pat Gelsinger, has secured a Letter of Intent with the U.S. Department of Commerce for $150 million in federal incentives to develop an electron-based light source for lithography tools. The company aims to build a free-electron laser (FEL) system in Albany to advance chip manufacturing technology. This move signifies a shift in the U.S. government's stance on funding for innovative tech projects. xLight's FEL technology could potentially revolutionize chip production, but challenges lie ahead in proving its viability for mass production and navigating potential export restrictions due to classified elements in its technology.