NXP 74AHC00 : Weekend die-shot

What is the simplest possible microchip? Probably it's 7400 - quad 2-input NAND gate. We made a die shot of NXP's 74AHC00 (AHC means "fast" CMOS). This is a nice example that 'old' tech nodes (1µm and older) are still in use. Also, note how many spare via are there.

Die size - 944x854 µm.



Update 02.02.2015: We redid this chip with better quality. Original photo (September 2, 2012). Looking at the quality difference gives me a warm feeling, 2.5 years well spent...