Silicon wafers
Sandia has completed phase one of an anticipated three-year upgrade at its plant responsible for making integrated circuits, similar to computer chips. The facility is now fully compatible with industry-standard, 8-inch silicon wafers — thin, round starting materials used for making chips. Previously, Sandia used 6-inch wafers.
Supporting the new size will help sustain production of microsystems for national security applications through 2040. Prototyping and product development activities have already resumed.
“Moving to 8-inch wafers aligns us with industry, which means we have a more sustainable supply of starting materials, tools and service,” said Sandia senior manager Mike Holmes, who is overseeing the process.
Learn more at bit.ly/2nZNOpb.
Photo by Randy Montoya
Silicon wafers
Sandia has completed phase one of an anticipated three-year upgrade at its plant responsible for making integrated circuits, similar to computer chips. The facility is now fully compatible with industry-standard, 8-inch silicon wafers — thin, round starting materials used for making chips. Previously, Sandia used 6-inch wafers.
Supporting the new size will help sustain production of microsystems for national security applications through 2040. Prototyping and product development activities have already resumed.
“Moving to 8-inch wafers aligns us with industry, which means we have a more sustainable supply of starting materials, tools and service,” said Sandia senior manager Mike Holmes, who is overseeing the process.
Learn more at bit.ly/2nZNOpb.
Photo by Randy Montoya