What is a semiconductor?
A semiconductor is a material whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator. Its conductivity can be controlled, which makes it useful for building electronic components such as transistors, diodes and integrated circuits.
Essential terminology
- Chip or integrated circuit
- An electronic circuit containing many components fabricated on a small piece of semiconductor material.
- Fab
- A fabrication facility where semiconductor wafers are processed to create chips.
- Node
- A label used for a semiconductor manufacturing technology generation. Smaller-node processes are generally associated with higher component density, though node names are not a complete measure of performance.
- ATMP
- Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging—the later production stages that prepare manufactured chips for use.
- OSAT
- Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test—a business model in which specialist companies provide packaging and testing services.
- EDA tools
- Electronic Design Automation software used to design, simulate and verify chips and electronic systems.
- IP in chip design
- Reusable intellectual-property blocks or designs that can form part of a larger chip or system.
Why semiconductor capacity is strategic
- Chips are required in telecommunications, automobiles, consumer electronics, industrial systems and defence equipment.
- A diversified supply chain can reduce vulnerability to international disruptions.
- The ecosystem includes design, materials, machines, fabrication, packaging, testing, research and skilled workers.
Quick self-check
- What happens inside a fab?
- Expand ATMP and OSAT.
- What role do EDA tools play?