Ultrapure water is critical in the manufacturing of semiconductors, tiny components that allow our devices to function. Semiconductors are found in a multitude of devices found in daily life, including smartphones, tablets, computers and even spacecraft. These tiny parts are critical to the technology we use every single day. Through this text, we will explore why ultrapure water is used to make semiconductors, how ultrapure water is made, what contamination or impurities in water can do to the semiconductors, how we help prevent water contamination, and how ultraviolet (UV) light keeps the water ultra-pure. All needed of to make chips that actually work and do what people want.
Ultrapure Water: Why It Matters in Semiconductor Manufacturing
We require extremely pure water when we manufacture semiconductors. That's because it doesn't take much dirt or other things that don't belong there to screw up the whole chip-making process. And if there are impurities, the semiconductors may not function properly or might even fail entirely. And that’s why Ultrapure Water Systems is so crucial. It is cleaner than the water we drink; it is treated to remove all the minerals, chemicals and microscopic living things that can spoil water. In fact, ultrapure has been purified to a orders degree of magnitude higher than regular drinking water.
How Ultrapure Water Is Made
Ultrapure water is made using special machines and technology that are specifically built for this job. One way to make Ultrapure Water is through reverse osmosis. This removes nearly every impure element in the water, including as much as 99% of particles that aren't wanted. When it does, it forces water through a fine filter that allows the water to flow through but holds on to impurities. Other prominent techniques to which ultrapure water is exposed include electrodeionization — a method that employs electricity to eliminate charged particles — and ultrafiltration that implements specialized filters to capture minuscule bits and constituents capable of tainting the water. These processes work together to ensure that the water is as clean as possible.
Effects of Impurities on Semiconductor Behavior
Even a small amount of impurity in the water can significantly alter the operation of a semiconductor. Dopants are impurities added to the semiconductor during production to modify its properties, but minerals such as magnesium and calcium precipitate on the surface of the semiconductor during synthesis, compromising the semiconductor's effectiveness and lifespan. These minerals form plaster, which can obstruct the passage of electricity. (Other materials such as sodium and chlorine can cause corrosion, which means they can literally eat the semiconductor and cause chips to break before they’re supposed to.) That’s why it is extremely critical the Ultrapure part water of the semiconductor manufacturing process needs to be as devoid of all impurities as possible.
