Profession semiconductor processor

Semiconductor processors manufacture electronic semiconductors as well as semiconductor devices, such as microchips or integrated circuits (IC's). They may also repair, test, and review the products. Semiconductor processors work in cleanrooms and therefore need to wear a special lightweight outfit that fits over their clothing to prevent particles from contaminating their worksite.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Microelectronics

  Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.

• Integrated circuits

  Electronic components, made up from a set of electronic circuits which are placed on semiconductor material, such as silicon. Integrated circuits (IC) can hold billions of electronic components on a microscale and are one of basic components of electronic devices.

• Electronics

  The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.

• Semiconductors

  Semiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silicon or germanium. By introducing other elements in the crystal through doping, the crystals turn into semiconductors. Depending on the amount of electrons created by the doping process, the crystals turn into N-type semiconductors, or P-type semiconductors.

• Microassembly

  The assembly of nano, micro or mesoscale systems and components with dimensions between 1 µm to 1 mm. Because of the need for precision on a microscale, micro assemblies require reliable visual alignment equipment, such as ion beam imaging systems and stereo electronic microscopes, as well as precision tools and machines, such as microgrippers. The microsystems are assembled according to techniques of doping, thin films, etching, bonding, microlithography, and polishing.

Skills

• Carry out measurements of parts

  Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.

• Clean wafers

  Clean semiconductor wafers using appropriate cleaning equipment, such as automated wafer cleaners, blow-off wands, and chemical baths.

• Report defective manufacturing materials

  Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.

• Monitor manufacturing quality standards

  Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.

• Load electronic circuits onto wafers

  Load transistors and other electronic circuit elements onto the finished silicon wafers and slice wafers into individual integrated circuits (IC's) or microchips.

• Read assembly drawings

  Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.

• Produce semiconductor crystals

  Load raw semiconductor materials, such as polysilicon, into furnace. The resulting lake of melted silicon is then spun in a crucible and a silicon seed crystal is put into it while spinning in the opposite direction. When the melted polysilicon is allowed to cool, the seed crystal is slowly withdrawn. The result is a single semiconductor crystal with a diameter of approximately 200 millimeters.

• Monitor machine operations

  Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.

• Polish wafers

  Operate robotic machines to clean, buff, and polish the wafers using a process called lapping. The result is wafers of silicon with a surface roughness of less than one millionth of a millimeter.

• Remove defective products

  Remove defective materials from the production line.

• Slice crystals into wafers

  Operate wire saw machines to slice the silicon crystals into ultra thin wafers of approximately 2/3 millimeters thick.

• Imprint circuit design onto wafers

  Imprint the electronic circuit design onto the wafers through a process known as photolithography. First, wafers are coated with photosensitive chemicals that harden when exposed to UV light. In sealed dark rooms light is shone through the image of the design through a miniaturising lens and on to the coated wafer. When the chemical is washed off the design remains. The wafers are built up layer by layer, repeating the photo etching process in each new layer. Some layers are cooked, some layers ionised by plasma, and some are baked in metal. Each treatment changes the properties for that layer.

• Ensure conformity to specifications

  Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.

• Wear cleanroom suit

  Wear garments appropriate for environments that require a high level of cleanliness to control the level of contamination.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Inspect semiconductor components

  Inspect the quality of used materials, check the purity and molecular orientation of the semiconductor crystals, and test the wafers for surface defects using electronic testing equipment, microscopes, chemicals, X-rays, and precision measuring instruments.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB