Context:
An article in Hindu | Why ASML’s new chip-making machine is a scientific marvel
‘High NA EUV’ machine:
- Also known as High-numerical-aperture (NA) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machine
- A new technique for chip manufacturing that can print the smallest features on microchips
- Technology – Precision technology
- Production by – ASML (only company in world)
- Headquarters – Netherlands
- Uses extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photolithography – A next-generation technology, to make the semiconductors
Semiconductor lithography – the science of printing intricate circuits with extreme precision
Photolithography:
- A technique that uses light to transfer a pattern onto a underlying layer
- The mould of the circuits of a transistor (a type of semiconductor) are transferred to a silicon wafer coated with a light-sensitive material called a photoresist
- When light is shined on the photoresist, the mould solidifies and its gaps can be filled with wires to form the transistor
Rayleigh scattering criterion:
- Rayleigh scattering refers to the scattering of light by particles in its path of size up to 1/10th the wavelength of the light and occurs without any loss of energy or change of wavelength
- According to the criterion the size of the feature to be projected on the wafer isproportional to the wavelength of light used and inversely proportional to the aperture of the lens that collects light before projecting it onto the wafer
- Aperture of a lens – A variable-sized opening that controls the amount of light that passes through the lens
- Hence smallest feature size can be moulded on the silicon wafer using this criterion
Computers denote data in bits – the famous 0s and 1s – using semiconductors. These are small physical devices that store these values and perform mathematical operations on them. The sum of all these operations is what allows the computer to compute.
Read more about: LED (Semiconductors), Semiconductor Scheme
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements:
1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct:
Not a single silicon chip for solar energy is manufactured in India.
Statement 2 is not correct:
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission regulate the tariff of generating companies owned or controlled by the Central Government.
Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has a power trading license.
