2015-05-26
440
Semiconductors with predictable, reliable electronic properties are necessary for mass production. The level of chemical purity needed is extremely high because the presence of impurities even in very small proportions can have large effects on the properties of the material. A high degree of crystalline perfection is also required, since faults in crystal structure (such as dislocations, twins, and stacking faults) interfere with the semiconducting properties of the material. Crystalline faults are a major cause of defective semiconductor devices. The larger the crystal, the more difficult it is to achieve the necessary perfection. Current mass production processes use crystal ingots between four and twelve inches (300 mm) in diameter which are grown as cylinders and sliced into wafers.
Because of the required level of chemical purity and the perfection of the crystal structure which are needed to make semiconductor devices, special methods have been developed to produce the initial semiconductor material. A technique for achieving high purity includes growing the crystal using the Czochralski process. An additional step that can be used to further increase purity is known as zone refining. In zone refining, part of a solid crystal is melted. The impurities tend to concentrate in the melted region, while the desired material recrystalizes leaving the solid material more pure and with fewer crystalline faults.
Полупроводники
Полупроводники – твердые вещества, которые по своей удельной проводимости занимают промежуточное место между проводниками и диэлектриками и которые могут постоянно либо динамически управляться в широком диапазоне. Полупроводники очень важны в технологиях. Полупроводниковые приборы, электронные компоненты, выполненные из полупроводниковых материалов, играют значительную роль в современных электрических устройствах. Примеров применения множество, начиная с компьютеров, сотовых телефонов и заканчивая цифровыми аудиоплеерами. Большинство коммерческих полупроводников сделано из кремния, но помимо его используется еще дюжины материалов.
