How Do They Make Silicon Wafers and Computer Chips?

are those processes widely known or do they remain as industrial secrecy?

absolutely fascinating. Even the process of silicon itself, I have a small understanding of how computer process programming actually works, but the fact that we have so accurately fine tuned the process of digital data... not to mention that we will soon have nano-bot technology, actually there are forms of nano-bots now. simply fascinating. who knew that our creativity and mild intelligence could take us so far.

It truly astonishes me how a simple material like silicon can come together with just metal and wires and somehow power a computer. In fact just having it be able to make this comment appear as I am typing is beyond me. Very good video.

I don't know the answer for sure, but based on what is said in this video, it is likely that the wafers are supplied by special vendors like the one shown.

Just out of interest, do big CPU manufacturers like Intel and AMD make their own silicon wafers, or do they just do the etching?

I read many years ago, IBM was doing research in optical computer. Instead of using silicon, they use some organic gel and lasers to build the computer. Instead of using electrons, they use the interference patterns of light and laser to do computing. I have not heard much since then. I have also read about using carbon atoms deposits to form thin film of diamond crystal for IC chips. Diamond can takes great heat. No cooling required. No news either. Just don't hold your breath.

In my opinion, silicon should have at least a few decades to go. Even if any of the discovery or breakthrough comes out of research stage into production stage today, it will still take a couple of decades to take over the dominance of silicon. Foundary are not cheap to build, if Silicon still fill the demand, it won't go away anytime soon.

How many years do you reckon silicon has? Have you heard of the Novatron?

truly amazing
theory problem with mind it can only look at one aspect at a time so we are creating the interpretation of what is known by subjective experiment in other words we cannot see totality at any one time its only because you are thinking it at that moment in time.its like having a circle of limitation or parameters.and you cannot see outside that circle due to limits of subjectivity experience.and just maybe you cannot come up with an experiment to know what it is

very very awesome

who cares?

thnx for the videos on this subject.iam doing M.Tech in IC Technology in India.I expect a more informative information from you

I don't really have the money to pay the flight, but I'd love to see the western US. Made a roadtrip in the eastern US in 2006. Couldn't have better timing. 4th July, Cape Caneveral; once in a lifetime experiance (rocket launch).

Anyway, I'll come back in few years.

You can still visit the US as tourist. When the US dollars are so cheap, it is great bargain now.

No, actually I live in Sweden, though I have been mistaken for being an american several times. Thanks for informing me however :)