Most people don’t know the importance of thin chips in our everyday lives. Because of this, they are also not aware of the words ‘silicon wafer’ and their important role in our modern technology.
Most people don’t know the importance of thin chips in our everyday lives. Because of this, they are also not aware of the words ‘silicon wafer’ and their important role in our modern technology.
Silicon, one of the most abundant elements on Earth, is a raw material for semiconductor products because of its stable structure. It is first purified, melted, and cooled to form an ingot, which is then sliced into discs called wafers.
Some people, such as those in the semiconductor industry have the chance to encounter real silicon wafers. This technology has the flatness of a mirror-like surface that is not visible to the naked eye.
Silicon wafers are the key component for manufacturing chips or integrated circuits (ICs). Integrated circuits can consist of millions of electronic components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors that make electronic devices perform specific functions correctly.
There are different types of wafers available in the market depending on their usage. One example is a dummy wafer. They are different from general silicon wafer products as they are used in experiments and tests during semiconductor production.
Below are some types of semiconductor silicon wafers :
- Test wafer
- Test grade wafer
- Bare Wafer
- Silicon dummy wafer
- Mirror wafer
- Monitor wafer
- Mechanical grade wafer
- Experimental wafer
Silicon Wafer Grades
There are 3 Silicon Wafer Grades
1. Prime Grade Silicon Wafers
These are the highest grade of silicon wafers, mainly used in manufacturing integrated circuits, and are hence “device quality” wafers. They offer excellent quality and performance, polished surface, and are therefore more expensive compared to other silicon wafer grades.
2. Test Grade Silicon Wafers
These are the 2nd best grade of silicon wafers mainly used in equipment testing, engineering test experiments and evaluations.
3. Dummy Grade Silicon Wafers
These are also called Mirror Wafers. They are primarily used in the production line as test wafers for assessing safety measures, prior to using prime grade wafers. By using these first, damage to prime grade wafers is avoided. They are also used for production process evaluations.
Application and Benefits
Silicon wafers serve an important role in the development of technological advancements. Computers, smartphones, wearables, and appliances are some of the devices that depend on this technology. In addition, the newest trend of technologies such as electric vehicles, robotics, internet of things(IOT), and renewable energy also need this technology. Without silicon wafers, most of the devices we use in our everyday lives wouldn't be possible.
As electronic devices become smaller and more powerful, the demand and capability of silicon wafers are growing in importance. Many industries like the ones shown below benefit from silicon wafer technology.
Industrial and Commercial Electronics
Telecommunications
Automotive
Medical
Military and Aerospace
Current Wafer Supply
Due to the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the demand for many electronic products such as mobile phones, computers, TVs, and medical equipment. Multiple industrial sectors including automotives, military and aerospace, and telecommunications are also affected by the pandemic.
While many sectors were expected to begin production recovery this coming years, a continuous increase in the demand for chips and power devices are to be expected. Wafer production capacity is critical for the customers’ demand especially during the production ramp-up. This significantly contributes to the global chip shortage situation and will possibly reach a panic level in the coming years.
As such, we understand the need for a reliable supplier of silicon wafers. As a fast-growing distributor with proven quality products and services, Gennex has the capability to support our customers’ silicon wafer supplies other specific requirements necessary.
Gennex can offer:
Wide Variety of Dummy wafers with available stocks locally- Silicon Dummy wafer
- Custom Patterned Wafer
- Metallization layering (Al, Ag, Au, etc)
- Minimum 100um wafer thickness
- Daisy Chain concept
- Sawn Dummy Wafer in frame
- Available in 5in, 6in, 8in, 12in
- Strategic Warehouse facilities
Gennex has warehouses strategically located in Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan allowing for fast and cost efficient deliveries to customers.
- Technical support for wafer design concept
Gennex can provide design solutions including the customers’ needed support for wafer design concepts. We have focused and experienced product managers and engineers to provide the best solution to our customer needs.
- Regional sites support with dedicated Sales and CS Team
We have wide coverage sourcing capability for lead time and spot-buy requirements. We are equipped with a fully inter-linked web-based ERP system, Hub / JIT program to fully support dynamic production requirements, and VMI / SMI program with global OEM.
Contact us here so that we can provide and support your wafer supplies and custom requirements needed. We will be happy to assist you and support your requirements.