Top Silicon Wafer Manufacturing Companies in the World
Top Silicon Wafer Manufacturing Companies in the World – List of Silicon Producers and Silicon Wafer Manufacturing Countries in the World.
A semiconductor company can either manufacture silicon wafers or design chips manufactured by some other company.
Table of Contents:
What is a semiconductor?
A Semiconductor can be defined as a material that has the characteristics and ability to conduct a small amount of electrical current in a controlled manner. Semiconductors have much lower resistance to the flow of electrical current in one direction than in another. Diodes, transistors, and many photovoltaic cells contain semiconductive material. The electrical conductivity of a semiconductor can be controlled over a wide range, either permanently or dynamically.
Read:
Material Used to Manufacture Semiconductors
There are several materials that are used to make a semiconductor. The basic requirement of a semiconductor material is that it should not be a very good conductor of electricity, nor should it be a very bad conductor of electricity. Its properties can be changed by adding or removing atoms. Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor material. Few other materials used in making semiconductor are germanium, gallium arsenide, and silicon carbide. Read: Uses of Silicon in Electronics
What is a Silicon Wafer?
A wafer is a thin piece of semiconductor material, normally silicon crystal. These wafers are used to fabricate integrated circuits (ICs) and other micro devices. Silicon wafers are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 25.4 mm (1 inch) to 300 mm (11.8 inches).
Top Silicon Wafer Manufacturing Companies in the World
- LANCO: Manufacturers of high quality polysilicon, silicon ingots/ wafers and modules. Based in India.
- Bhaskar Solar: Polysilicon and wafer processing company based in India.
- Elkem: Elkem Silicon Materials is on of the world’s leading suppliers of metallurgical silicon with three production plants in Norway.
- MEMC Electronic Materials: A global pioneer in wafer technologies. Designs and develops wafer technologies to meet the needs of the electronics companies.
- Okmetic: A technology company manufacturing and further processing high-quality silicon wafers for the semiconductor and sensor industries.
- PV Crystalox Solar: Produces multicrystalline silicon ingots and wafers for use in solar power generation systems.
- Shin-Etsu Chemical: Manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor materials, semiconductor silicon, synthetic quartz glass and PCV.
- Siltronic: Hyperpure silicon wafers and a partner to many top-tier chip manufacturers.
- Mitsubishi / Sumitomo Sumco Silicon (Sumitomo Metal Industries): Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. And Mitsubishi Materials Corporation merged and integrated their silicon wafers business, including 300mm wafers and wafer-related quartz product.
- LDK Solar: Manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers.
- Renesola: Manufacturer of solar power products including virgin polysilicon, monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar wafers, and photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules.
- Renewable Energy Corporation: Manufacturer and supplier of silicon materials, wafers and solar solutions.
- Applied Materials: Manufacturers of products for semiconductor industry, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries.
- Tokuyama: Various products used in the electronics field, electronic components, ion exchange membranes and related equipment.
- Topsil: Silicon crystal wafers and ingots.
Criteria to Select these Top Silicon Wafer Manufacturing Companies in the World
While there are several silicon wafer manufacturing companies in the world, the above list highlights only the top and the best of such companies based on quality, production and sales (Global).
FAQs: Silicon Wafer
How are silicon wafers made?
Silicon wafers are produced through a series of precise steps. First, high-purity silicon is melted and then crystallized into a cylindrical ingot. The ingot is then sliced into thin wafers using a process called wafer dicing. These wafers undergo various chemical, mechanical, and thermal treatments to achieve the desired electrical and structural properties.
What are the different sizes of silicon wafers?
Silicon wafers come in various sizes, denoted by their diameter in inches. Common sizes include 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches. The larger the diameter, the more individual chips can be fabricated on a single wafer, which can improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs.
What is the significance of silicon wafer flatness?
Silicon wafer flatness, often measured in micrometers, is crucial for the precise manufacturing of microelectronics. Flatness ensures uniformity in the various layers of material deposited onto the wafer during the fabrication process. It helps maintain consistent performance and yield across the chips produced on a single wafer.
Can silicon wafers be recycled?
Yes, silicon wafers can be recycled to some extent. Wafer recycling involves removing the existing circuit patterns and thinning the wafer for reuse. This process is especially useful for research and development purposes, as well as for reducing waste in the semiconductor industry. However, the recycling process can be complex due to potential contamination and cost considerations.
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Where does the Quartz or Silica come from and is it delivered in Rick form ?