We all are surrounded and dependent on electronic gadgets all
around .Integrated circuits(IC) are used in almost all electronic equipment
today e.g. computers, mobile phones and other home appliances. Integratedcircuit manufacturers have revolutionized the world of electronics. The first
integrated circuit contained only a few transistors. The performance of the ICs
is high because of the small size that allows short traces. Most of the
integrated circuit suppliers use ceramic flat plates to pack the ICs.
ICs have consistly migrated to smaller sizes, now more
circuitry can be packed on each chip. Surprisingly, the speed increases but
cost per transistor and power consumption decreases with decrease in size. The
mobile phones and computer are individual part of the human life. The
microprocessors/ cores are the most advanced ICs.
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| Integrated Circuit |
Semiconductor ICs are fabricated in a planar process which
includes three key process steps which includes imaging, deposition and
etching. The main process steps are supplemented by doping and cleaning.
Photolithography is used to mark different areas of the substrate to be doped.
The ICs are tested with the help of ATE (Automated Test Equipment). This
process is called wafer testing.