Skip to main content

Rundown about Silicon Oxide Wafer

The main insulating material used in micro-technology is Silicon Dioxide, which in chemical symbols is written as SiO2. In semiconductor technology, SiO2 thin film layers are mainly used as dielectric material film in transistors, capacitors (DRAM) or flash-memories.
Silicon Oxide Wafers are produced using crystallization, solid state and other ultra-high purification processes such as sublimation. This process forms a cylindrical ingot, which is then sliced and polished to form wafers.
Thermal oxide is a kind of "grown" oxide layer, compared to CVD deposited oxide layer, it has a higher uniformity, and higher dielectric strength, it is an excellent dielectric layer as an insulator . In most silicon- based devices, thermal oxide layer play an important role to pacify the silicon surface to act as doping barriers and as surface dielectrics.
The simplest way to produce an insulating silicon oxide layers (SiO2) on silicon wafers is to oxidize silicon with oxygen, which can be carried out via high dry or wet oxidation processes. In both cases, silicon reacts with oxygen leading to a moving interface towards the substrate. Thermal oxide is normally grown in a horizontal tube furnace
Dry oxidation typically takes place at temperatures in between 850 and 1200°C and it demonstrates low growth rates. It does allow very good thickness uniformity and purity. Therefore, this is the preferred way to produce high quality thin silicon oxide layers. Thicker oxide layers are typically produced by wet oxidation where the growth rate is significantly increased.
Applications of Silicon Oxide (SiO2) wafers:
- Silicon Oxide (SiO2) wafers are used as dielectric material.
- Silicon Oxide (SiO2) wafers are used in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices.
- Silicon Oxide (SiO2) wafers are used as an antireflection layer on e.g. solar cells.
- Silicon Oxide (SiO2) wafers are used as a hard mask for diffusion.
- Silicon Oxide (SiO2) wafers are used for wet or dry chemical etching
- Silicon Oxide (SiO2) wafers are used as an isolator between integrated devices.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersions

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)  have attracted enormous attention in recent years due to its unique physical, electronic, optical and potential applications in materials science and nanotechnology. The van der Waals interaction between tubes, however, makes CNTs aggregate in most organic solvents and aqueous solutions, which is the major limitation of their practical applications.Various approaches have been studied to alter the CNT surface to promote the dispersion of individual nanotubes and prevent their reaggregation. On the basis of this widely accepted viewpoint, numerous techniques such as covalent bonding, surfactant coating and polymer wrapping have been developed for surface modification or sidewall functionalization.These methods, however, are complicated, time-consuming and cause permanent damage to the CNT structure and properties of the surface, which produces residues of the dispersion agent for the final product. Figure: Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) It has re

Carbon Nanotube Threads

Since its discovery, carbon nanotube (CNT) has attracted many interests in different technology fields due to its extraordinary properties. Properties such as, high strength, great electrical and thermal conductivity, light weight and flexibility made CNT one of the best materials for wide range of applications. However, from its name it can be understood that CNT is a nanoscale material which is very small to be applied for the production of daily products. Researchers all around the world are working on finding methods and techniques which could produce new materials with the extraordinary properties of CNT. Image retrieved from:  https://worldindustrialreporter.com/strong-light-flexible-carbon-nanotubes-threads-with-ultrahigh-conductivity/ One of these research is focusing on the production of high strength threads that can be used in the manufacturing of fabrics, cables and ropes. An international group of scientists were able to produce a flexible conductive thread that i

Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Applications

General Information about Magnesium Oxide Magnesium oxide which has the chemical formula of MgO, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of Magnesium. It is a white powder at room temperature. Magnesium Oxide has very high melting point (2825  o C) and boiling point (3600  o C).                                                                                                                                                                                Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Usage Areas                                        Magnesium Oxide nanoparticles/nanopowder  can be used in many different areas. For example Magnesium Oxide nanoparticles/nanopowder are used as a fire retardant for chemical fiber and plastics trades. For making crucible, smelter, insulated conduit, electrode bar, and electrode sheet  Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder  can be used as electric insulating material. Magnesium Oxide nan