Discover
/
Article

UV light cools silicon chip creation

JUN 30, 2006
Physics Today
BBC : Energy costs associated with semiconductor silicon chip manufacture could be dramatically cut if a new manufacture process goes into widespread use. Currently silicon dioxide, the basis of silicon chips are made by heating silicon to 1000 C to form silicon dioxide. A team from University College London has found a method that uses low-temperature, ultraviolet lamps to make the compound. The UV technique operates at room temperature. “This finding means that the industry’s energy, and subsequent cost savings, could reduce the prices of electronic devices for consumers and, of course, create a positive environmental impact,” said Professor Ian Boyd of UCL, a member of the team behind the discovery.
Related content
/
Article
The finding that the Saturnian moon may host layers of icy slush instead of a global ocean could change how planetary scientists think about other icy moons as well.
/
Article
/
Article
After a foray into international health and social welfare, she returned to the physical sciences. She is currently at the Moore Foundation.
/
Article
Modeling the shapes of tree branches, neurons, and blood vessels is a thorny problem, but researchers have just discovered that much of the math has already been done.

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.