Silicon finds its true importance after mankind's technological advancement, specifically through its contribution to making semiconductors. But more than its raw form, you will use this material as silicon wafers. So, take a good note of what it is and where it actually works.
An Overview of Silicon Wafers
Silicon wafers are the base and key material behind making semiconductors, the heart of any electronic device. This flat disk-shaped material is produced by refining silicon in the horizontal gradient freezing, horizontal Bridgeman, vertical Bridgeman, and Czochralski drag methods, which gives it its refined, mirror-like surface.
Different Types of Silicon Wafers
There are two main types of silicon wafers: undopped and doped. Undopped ones are those made out of pure crystalline silicon, whereas doped ones are not 100% pure and are especially customized according to the manufacturer's needs. Here, we will talk about the basic two variants of the dopped or impure silicon waters;
· N-type Silicon Wafers
N-type semiconductor wafers are formed when phosphorous and arsenic are dopped into the silicon lattice. This increases the electrons or negatively charged ions in the atom and makes it highly conductive of electricity. It has a significant crystallin look from the Czochralski and float zone method. This increases the purity and uniformity of the wafers.
· P-type Silicon Waters
The P-type wafers on the other hand are dopped with elements like boron that result in creating holes in the silicon lattice. These holes thereby act as positive charges for electric conductivity. Unlike the N-type, the P-type has a lower concentration of electrons, which creates a smooth passage for electric current.
Use Cases of Silicon Wafers
As you can see these wafers are the main components of semiconductors. However, there are other useful uses of them as well. Let's discus them here in brief;
· Semiconductor
Due to its high levels of mobility both at room temperature and at higher degrees, silicon is used the most in making semiconductors. In comparison to other conductors of electric current, silicon provides better and faster passage to the currents. This makes them the most suitable choice for manufacturing transistors and microchips.
· Electronic Devices
These chips and microchips then are widely used for making the integrated circuits of almost all sorts of electronic gadgets. Silicon wafers are there in computers, in smartphones, and almost all the devices you are using with a semiconductor or microchip on the circuit board.
· Solar Cells
Silicon wafers are also there in the making of solar cells. They help in converting sunlight into electricity. Silicon is also present in the manufacturing of LED lights and the sensors that we now use to regulate them automatically.
The tiny wafers of silicon are, therefore, actually the building rock upon which the entire empire of modern technology stands today. Using this in-depth understanding of silicon wafers, there types, and their irreplaceable use in this digital world, you will be able to effectively choose the right kind for your business type.
