What Is a Semiconductor Material?
Semiconductor materials encompass all substances used in creating semiconductor devices, ranging from wafers, which form the chip’s main body, to photomasks, gases for etching and cleaning, and components for chip packaging. Wafers are central to semiconductor material, usually referring to silicon or compound semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN).
Uses of Semiconductor Materials
These materials find applications across various fields, notably in producing electronics such as low-cost silicon-based devices, high-frequency gadgets, LEDs, and optical communication tools. Their diverse functionalities stem from the distinct properties of single-element and compound semiconductors.
Principle of Semiconductor Materials
The manufacturing process begins with the refinement of silicon into high-purity polycrystalline silicon. This material then undergoes a single-crystal pulling process to form single-crystal ingots, which are subsequently sliced into wafers and polished for use in semiconductor devices.
Types of Semiconductor Materials
Semiconductors are categorized based on their integration level into discrete semiconductors, integrated circuits (ICs), and large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs), each serving different functions in a myriad of applications from automotive to personal computing devices.
- Discrete Semiconductors: Basic devices performing single functions, like diodes and transistors.
- IC (Integrated Circuit): A step up in complexity, integrating multiple elements for broader functionalities.
- LSI (Large Scale Integration): High-integration devices combining numerous components for complex functions, crucial in modern electronics.