Semiconductor device fabrication builds electronic or optoelectronic structures by controlling the geometry, composition and interfaces of semiconductor materials. Typical steps include deposition, photolithography, etching and controlled semiconductor doping. Repeating patterned steps creates devices and their interconnections.
For a simple patterned layer, deposit material, coat it with photoresist, expose through a photomask, develop the resist and transfer the pattern by etching. Later layers require alignment to earlier ones. A useful device depends on more than resolving a small feature: defects, contamination, interface quality and electrical contact resistance also affect performance. Fabrication therefore couples materials science with measurement and process control.[ref]
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Semiconductor device fabrication is the process used to create integrated circuits (ICs) and other semiconductor devices, which are essential components in a vast array of electronic devices ranging from smartphones to computers, healthcare equipment, and automotive systems. This complex procedure involves several steps that transform raw materials, primarily silicon, into functional electronic components.
This is the lowest level of abstraction computer, at which the basic gates and power are described.