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14 votes
6 answers
7k views

Why are microprocessors made using silicon and not germanium? [closed]

I heard that microprocessors are usually made using silicon, yet germanium has a better conductive state. Why isn't germanium not chosen instead, taking to account that better conductors provide ...
kopon stanley's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
62 views

How accurate are internal terminators on chips with high speed differential inputs?

I'm aware that due to process variation, some analog parameters of semiconductor devices can vary; sometimes quite a lot. (E.g. the SST3904 transistor specifies a DC current gain somewhere between 100 ...
Rocketmagnet's user avatar
  • 27.5k
4 votes
2 answers
840 views

Why are drain and source not actually perfectly symmetric?

In textbook treatments, one has that the source and drain of a MOSFET are completely symmetrical and therefore interchangeable -- the distinction is only made by which is at a higher voltage in the ...
EE18's user avatar
  • 1,161
3 votes
4 answers
235 views

How does one manufacture a P-N junction?

When I read a physics textbook about a P-N junction, it will tell me that you connect a P-doped semiconductor to an N-doped semiconductor, and you form a depletion region. From what I know about ...
Roy's user avatar
  • 185
2 votes
1 answer
136 views

Ambiguity of the "intrinsic" layer in a PIN diode

I'm having trouble understanding the fundamental makeup of large PIN diodes, specifically those used in radiation detection devices. For example, high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors are often ...
thegreatemu's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
173 views

What is the current state of the art design rule for SiC VLSI? Technological impediments to making a SiC microcontroller for a Venus lander at 460 °C?

A sub-discussion below Is there any demonstrated or even proposed technology that can sterilize a spacecraft with 100% certainty and yet leave it electronically functional? in Space Exploration SE ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 3,439
5 votes
1 answer
620 views

Is there any specific application for an indirect band gap semiconductor?

I know that direct band gap semiconductors are very attractive for optical emission, and even though indirect band gap are used as well, I keep wondering: is there any technology that specifically ...
Bidon's user avatar
  • 289
8 votes
1 answer
420 views

How is the asymmetry of a Schottky diode obtained?

A Schottky diode is constructed with two metal conductors bonded to a doped semiconductor. One of the metal-semiconductor junctions is a Schottky contact, and the other metal-semiconductor junction is ...
Math Keeps Me Busy's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Difference between Logic Chip and Memory Chip front-end manufacturing process?

I understand that memory chips like DRAM Chips require a little different set of Front-end setup than logics chips. However, I am not finding anywhere how the actual manufacturing steps differ, ...
Jnanadarshan Nayak's user avatar