Asml
In short
ASML is a Dutch technology company that makes the specialised machines used to print tiny patterns onto computer chips. It is currently the only manufacturer in the world capable of producing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems.
In plain words
The company builds massive, complex tools that allow chipmakers to create the most advanced processors. Without these machines, it would be impossible to make the high-end chips used in modern smartphones and artificial intelligence.
A simple example
A chip manufacturer uses an ASML machine to shine light through a mask, etching microscopic circuits onto a silicon wafer. This process allows billions of tiny components to fit onto a single small chip.
Why it matters
ASML holds a global monopoly on the most advanced chip-making technology. This makes them a vital part of the global supply chain for electronics and national security.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse ASML with the companies that actually design the chips, such as Intel, TSMC, or NVIDIA.