The extra steps it takes to break the limit

Liu, Dicky

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/103781 Copy

Description

Title

The extra steps it takes to break the limit

Author(s)

Liu, Dicky

Issue Date

2019

Keyword(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Abstract

For extremely high performance nano-sized semiconductors, extreme measures are required: full-body suits, high temperature furnaces (1100°C / 2100°F), blue light-free environment, ultra clean air, and steady hands unfazed by potential hazards. The scientist uses a pair of stainless-steel tweezers to load a four-inch silicon wafer, which has nano-sized patterns drawn by ultraviolet light, bases, and hydrofluoric acid, onto a fused quartz holder between the two blank buffer wafers. The heat will facilitate chemical reactions that turn these patterns into the billions of transistors, which are the fundamental building blocks of integrated circuits that power all modern-day electronics. Due to the intense heat from the furnace, the scientist only has moments to load the wafer before the tweezers soften and melt. This fabrication step must be done with the highest degree of dexterity and alacrity that only comes with experience.

Type of Resource

• text
• image

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/103781

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2019 Dicky Liu

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