scienceboi - 19-5-2021 at 18:28
Since there is this whole global microchip shortage. I've begun researching how microchips are made, from sand to chip. However, a lot of information seems shallow and not
truly informative. There are a lot of patents for tech so I'm guessing most of the processes are hidden behind proprietary walls. Are there any
members who have worked with any part of the process? I'd love some advice on how to DIY some parts.
So far from researching the chip DIY scene, I found this guy. He's a good jumping off point but I'm still a bit lost
Twospoons - 19-5-2021 at 20:37
So you want to invest half a million bucks into equipment to make your own chips?
The closest I've got is doing the schematic design for an LED driver. I had the benefit of good SPICE models for the 0.18um CMOS process we were
using, supplied by the foundry.
I still have one of the engineering sample wafers on my shelf.
[Edited on 20-5-2021 by Twospoons]
Sulaiman - 19-5-2021 at 20:44
I had a tour of the Intel factory here...
ZERO chance of DIY!
Fulmen - 19-5-2021 at 22:47
This is pretty much the limit for DIY semiconductors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_detector
scienceboi - 19-5-2021 at 22:48
I'm naively convinced that there is a way to DIY, especially because of the guy I linked, Sam.
2nm process... that's never gonna happen. That scale really needs all the fancy equipment. But something on the micron level feels possible. That was
back in the 70s. The price of tech already drops more or less tied to Moore's law. So the tech needed to make ICs should also generally drop in price
as well. (or I gotta make it myself, oof)
However, that's on the making of the IC. What are your opinions on the silicon crystal/ingot manufacturing process? Would you say its more available
to DIY?
Fulmen - 20-5-2021 at 05:57
http://sam.zeloof.xyz (same person as OP links to).
Boy do I stand corrected. This is incredible work.