Chip Manufacturing - How are Microchips made? | Infineon

Summary

This script outlines the intricate process of semiconductor manufacturing, starting from raw sand to finished chips. It details the transformation of silicon dioxide into pure silicon ingots, followed by slicing into wafers. The semiconductor nature of silicon is harnessed through doping to create P and N-type layers, essential for transistor construction. The script further explains the fabrication process involving photolithography, oxidation, etching, and metallization, all conducted in a cleanroom to ensure precision. The final steps include assembly and packaging, highlighting the importance of quality control for producing reliable semiconductor devices.

Takeaways

• 🏗️ Sand, primarily composed of silicon dioxide, is the starting material for semiconductor chips.
• 🔥 A high-temperature process involving carbon is used to remove oxygen from silica sand, creating pure silicon.
• 🔬 Silicon is a semiconductor material that can conduct electricity and act as an insulator.
• 🔋 Doping with impurities like boron or phosphorus alters silicon's conductivity to create n-type or p-type semiconductors.
• 🔩 Transistors, built on doped silicon layers, control electric voltages and currents and are crucial for microchips.
• 🛠️ The chip fabrication process requires a cleanroom environment to prevent contamination.
• 📏 Photo masks are used to transfer circuit designs onto silicon wafers through a process involving light exposure and etching.
• 🔍 Scanning electron microscopes are utilized to ensure the quality and precision of the chips at various production stages.
• 🔗 The final stage of fabrication involves assembling the individual chips into packages with terminals for circuit board mounting.
• 🌐 Microelectronics are integral to modern life, enabling innovations that improve safety, efficiency, and accessibility of technology.

Q & A

What is the primary component of sand used in chip manufacturing?

The primary component of sand used in chip manufacturing is silicon dioxide or silica.

How is silicon extracted from sand in the chip-making process?

Silicon is extracted from sand by combining it with carbon and heating it to an extremely high temperature to remove the oxygen.

What is the term for the extremely pure mono crystalline silicon used in chip manufacturing?

The extremely pure mono crystalline silicon used in chip manufacturing is called a silicon bull or ingot.

What are the most common diameters for silicon wafers?

The most common diameters for silicon wafers are 150, 200, and 300 millimeters.

Why are large diameter wafers preferred in chip manufacturing?

Large diameter wafers are preferred because they offer more space for chips, which can increase production efficiency.

What is the role of doping in the silicon wafer process?

Doping is the process of adding small quantities of specific atoms to the silicon wafer to make it conductive. Elements from the thirteenth or fifteenth group of the periodic table are used for this purpose.

What are the two types of conductive layers created by doping?

The two types of conductive layers created by doping are n-type, which is conductive with the addition of phosphorus, and p-type, which is conductive with the addition of boron.

What is a transistor and how does it function?

A transistor is the smallest control unit in microchips that controls electric voltages and currents. It can be switched between current flow (on) and no flow (off) by applying electrical charges to its terminals.

How are the layers for transistors created on a wafer?

The layers for transistors are created through a series of steps including oxidation, photoresist application, exposure through photo masks, etching, and doping.

What is a cleanroom and why is it necessary for chip fabrication?

A cleanroom is a dust-free environment with stable temperature and humidity levels, necessary for chip fabrication to prevent contamination that can ruin the microscopic structures of chips.

What happens during the final stage of chip fabrication known as assembly?

During the final stage of chip fabrication, individual chips are placed in a package, and terminals are attached to create a finished semiconductor device ready for use.

How are power semiconductors different from standard semiconductors?

Power semiconductors are designed to switch high electrical currents and voltages, and they often have integrated cooling areas to dissipate the heat generated during operation.