What is Semiconductor fabrication?

About Semiconductor fabrication

• A semiconductor fab -- short for fabrication -- is a manufacturing plant in which raw silicon wafers are turned into integrated circuits (ICs).
• The process includes creating intricate patterns on the wafer using light and chemicals, depositing different materials to form components, and etching away unwanted materials.
• This results in the formation of transistors, interconnects, and other elements that make up a semiconductor device.
• Fabrication is a complex and precise process that requires specialized equipment and expertise.
• A semiconductor fab facility always includes a clean room because its environment is carefully controlled to eliminate dust and vibrations and to keep the temperature and humidity within a specific narrow range.
• Contamination can enter the fab environment through external sources, resulting in damages to products that can affect overall yield.

What kind of technology is used in fabs?

• Photolithography:
  • It is a crucial step in semiconductor fabrication where patterns are transferred onto silicon wafers.
  • A photosensitive material, called photoresist, is applied to the wafer and exposed to light through a mask.
  • The exposed areas are chemically etched, creating the desired pattern. This process enables the precise definition of features on the wafer, enabling the creation of intricate circuitry.
• Deposition techniques like chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) to add thin layers of materials; etching processes to remove unwanted materials; and various metrology tools for inspection and measurement.

Q1) What are Semiconductors?

These are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. They are the foundation of modern electronics and power a vast array of technologies such as computers, smartphones, solar panels, and medical devices. 

Source: Cabinet approves 3 chip plants, including two by Tata, at estimated investment of Rs 1.26 lakh crore