Semiconductors are the heart and soul of anything that’s computerized or dependent on radio waves. As a result, semiconductors have had a monumental impact on our society. Did you know that most of today’s semiconductor chips and transistors are created with silicon wafers? It’s true! Keep reading to learn even more cool facts about semiconductors!
Semiconductor Fact #1: A semiconductor is a solid material whose electrical conductivity falls between insulators and conductors. The conductivity of a semiconductor can be controlled by adding impurities, which are a specific amount of other materials, to the semiconductor.
Semiconductor Fact #2: While silicon is the more important commercial semiconductor, other materials are used. Some of these include germanium, gallium arsenide, germanium, indium phosphide, sapphire, and quartz.
Semiconductor Fact #3: An N-type semiconductor carries current mainly in the form of negatively-charged electrons. Meanwhile a P-type semiconductor carries current mostly as electron deficiencies called holes, which has a positive electric charge that is equal and opposite to the charge on an electron.
Semiconductor Fact #4: Semiconductor wafers are available in a wide variety of diameters. The first semiconductor wafer, manufactured in the United States in 1960, had a diameter that was a mere 1-inch. Today, the standard semiconductor wafer sixe is around 12-inches with a foreseeable plan to achieve 18-inches.
Semiconductor Fact #5: U.S. semiconductor companies lead in the global semiconductor market share, accounting for 51% of the total global semiconductor sales.
Use semiconductors for your next project by getting silicon wafers at Wafer World, Inc. Over the years, Wafer World, Inc. has established strong working relationships with Fortune 100 companies, universities, government labs, and worldwide brokerage houses thanks to our high quality wafer products. Contact us to learn more and order wafers for your next project today.
