The-Semiconductor-industry

= **Roland Lumala ** = = **__Semiconductor industry: __** =

=**Overview of the Semiconductor Manufacturing: **= ====This industry is involved in the process of creating integrated circuits that are present in everyday electrical and electronic devices. It is a multiple-step sequence of photolithographic and chemical processing steps during which electronic circuits are gradually created on a wafer made of pure semiconducting material. Silicon is almost always used, but various compound semiconductors are used for specialized applications. ==== ====The global semiconductor industry is dominated by USA, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and European Union. The U.S. industry faces challenges to development by some forms of government regulation. The U.S. government regulates exports and certain uses of some types of semiconductors due to their potential dual use in military applications.Based on KPMG report it was a $304 billion market in 2010. ====

=**Current trends in the semiconductor technology: **=

This industry goes through drifts that position it uniquely in the economy and in the global competitive arena. These include:

 * ====The role of the industry as technology enabler. The semiconductor industry is widely recognized as a key driver for economic growth in its role as a multiple lever and technology enabler for the whole electronics value chain. ====
 * ====Continuous growth but in a cyclical pattern with high volatility. While the current 20 year annual average growth of the semiconductor industry is on the order of 13%, this has been accompanied by equally above-average market volatility, which can lead to significant if not dramatic cyclical swings. ====
 * ====The need for high degrees of flexibility and innovation in order to constantly adjust to the rapid pace of change in the market. Many products embedding semiconductor devices often have a very short life cycle. At the same time, the rate of constant price-performance improvement in the semiconductor industry is staggering. As a consequence, changes in the semiconductor market not only occur extremely rapidly but also anticipate changes in industries evolving at a slower pace. Yet another consequence of this rapid pace is that established market strongholds can be displaced very quickly. ====

=**Latest advancements: **= ====Intel Corporation has recently unveiled the world’s first 3-D Tri-Gate transistor, set for mass production on the 22nm process in 2011. The move to smaller geometries results in faster, more power-efficient processors which has unprecedented combination of performance improvement and power reduction to enable new innovations across a range of future 22nm-based devices from the smallest handhelds to powerful cloud-based servers. ==== ====Advances in process technology and reductions in cost make computing devices accessible to an ever-increasing number of people worldwide, empowering innovations across the computing continuum—from the smallest handheld devices to the largest cloud-based servers. These improvements integrate more transistors on each chip to boost productivity and performance while cutting the cost per transistor—inspiring smarter, more adaptive technologies that optimize function integration at greater speeds while reducing energy consumption. ==== =**Application of semiconductors: **= ====Semiconductors are essential in everyday life. From computers to TV’s, they are an integral part of countless electronic devices and components. These include radios, video game consoles and even medical diagnostic equipment. Without semiconductors, several industries would not be able to survive. While other forms of technology exist, none possess the speed, efficiency and reliability offered by semiconductors. As a high-end tool, they facilitate the commercial and personal sectors with lasting results. Not only do they promote economic growth, they are simply a must in worldwide electronics production. We utilize this technological wonder daily, without realizing its true value or global importance. The importance of semiconductors is simply unparalleled. These electronic materials service a wide array of industries. These include computers, medicine, communications and engineering. They are the bridge between natural energy and component functionality. Without semiconductors, our daily endeavors would surely become more difficult. ====

=**Overview of the semiconductor development process stages 1- 9: **=

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Index: =
 * ~ ==== **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Stage 1 - 2 ** ==== ||~  ||~ ====**<span style="color: #ff0900; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Stage 3 – 8 **==== ||~   ||~ ==== **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Stage 9 ** ==== ||
 * < ====**<span style="color: #005596; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Silicon Wafers—The Chip's Foundation **====

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Almost all of today's computer chips are built on silicon wafers because silicon is
====<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">a natural semiconductor; it can conduct electricity or be converted to an insulator which prevents conduction inexpensive and abundant; wafers are made of highly purified sand which has been refined to produce 99.9999% pure silicon. ==== || .. ||< ====**<span style="color: #005596; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Semiconductor Fabrication—Wafer Processing **==== ====<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Semiconductor manufacturers produce many kinds of ICs or chips. DRAMS microprocessors ASICs SDPs and more. The precise process followed to make a chip varies according to the [|chip type] and manufacturing company. However all wafer processing involves six basic steps: ==== || .. ||< ====**<span style="color: #005596; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Semiconductors—The Final Product **==== ====<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Once wafer processing is complete, each chip (or die) on the wafer is tested for electrical performance, cut apart with wafer saws, and put into individual protective packages. Once packaged, chips are tested again to make sure they function properly before being shipped to distributors or placed in electronic products ==== ||

=**__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Focus area, including pre-requisites: __**= =**__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Click Here For Detailed Major Map __**=

=Summary:=

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Advanced Science Elective **
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The Advanced Science Elective includes most 200-level and above math/science (BIO, CHM, MAT, PHY) courses. See Advisor for approved advanced science electives. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sources:
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor_industry] ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|http://newsroom.intel.com/docs/DOC-2032] ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|http://www.isuppli.com/semiconductor-value-chain/pages/headlines.aspx] ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|http://www.pyratech.com/the-importance-of-semi-conductors/] ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|http://www.sematech.org/corporate/news/mfgproc/mfgproc.htm] ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|https://webapp4.asu.edu/programs/t5/roadmaps/ASU00/ESMSEBSE/2011] ====