How To Make A CPU

RobertElderSoftware2 minutes read

Obtain, crush, and purify silicon to create polysilicon metal, then form monocrystal silicon wafers through a complex process involving doping, photo-lithography, etching, and various other techniques for a finished silicon wafer used in creating CPUs.

Insights

  • The process of creating a CPU involves multiple intricate steps, including obtaining highly purified polysilicon metal, forming a monocrystal, slicing into silicon wafers, doping, lithography, etching, and various epitaxy processes, highlighting the complexity and precision required in semiconductor manufacturing.
  • The transformation from a rock to a finished silicon wafer and eventually a CPU involves a series of meticulous procedures that demand extreme purity levels, precise techniques like lithography and doping, and advanced technologies such as copper interconnects and chemical mechanical polishing, emphasizing the sophisticated nature of semiconductor fabrication and the critical role it plays in modern technology.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How is silicon dioxide purified for polysilicon metal?

    The process begins by obtaining a rock and crushing it to obtain 98% concentrated silicon dioxide. This silicon dioxide is then purified to 99.9% pure silicon dioxide. Further purification is done to achieve 99.9999999% polysilicon metal.

  • What is the method to create monocrystalline silicon?

    To create monocrystalline silicon, heat silicon ingots to 1698 °K. Dip a seed monocrystal into molten silicon, and slowly pull it out to form a monocrystal. The monocrystalline silicon ingot is then cut into thin slices to create pristine silicon wafers.

  • How are silicon wafers processed for semiconductor manufacturing?

    Silicon wafers are doped with Boron or Phosphorus, then photoresist is applied. A laser is shone through a photo-lithographic quartz mask onto the wafer, the photoresist is developed, and the wafer is acid etched. Various processes like homo-epitaxy, hetero-epitaxy, pseudo-epitaxy, diffusion doping, copper interconnects, and chemical mechanical polishing are performed to obtain a finished silicon wafer.

  • What are the final steps in creating a CPU from silicon?

    After obtaining the finished silicon wafer, it is cut into pieces to get un-packaged silicon dies. The pads on the silicon chip are located, and bond wires are attached or the flip-chip method is used to create a CPU.

  • What is the key process in creating a monocrystal from silicon?

    The key process in creating a monocrystal from silicon involves dipping a seed monocrystal into molten silicon, then slowly pulling it out to form a monocrystal. This monocrystal is then cut into thin slices to create pristine silicon wafers for further semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

From Rock to CPU: The Silicon Journey

  • Obtain a rock and crush it to obtain 98% concentrated silicon dioxide, then purify it to 99.9% pure silicon dioxide, further purifying it to 99.9999999% polysilicon metal. Heat the silicon ingots to 1698 °K, dip a seed monocrystal into molten silicon, and slowly pull it out to form a monocrystal. Cut the monocrystalline silicon ingot into thin slices to create pristine silicon wafers. Dope the wafers with Boron or Phosphorus, apply photoresist, shine a laser through a photo-lithographic quartz mask onto the wafer, develop the photoresist, acid etch the wafer, and perform various processes like homo-epitaxy, hetero-epitaxy, pseudo-epitaxy, diffusion doping, copper interconnects, and chemical mechanical polishing to obtain a finished silicon wafer. Finally, cut the wafer into pieces to get un-packaged silicon dies, locate the pads on the silicon chip, and attach bond wires or use the flip-chip method to create a CPU.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.