microelectronics
Tiny circuit engineering
Microelectronics is the branch of electronics dealing with extremely small components and circuits, typically built on semiconductor chips.
The field emerged in the mid-20th century and made possible the miniaturization of computers, phones, and countless other devices.
A microelectronics engineer designs integrated circuits that pack millions or billions of transistors onto chips smaller than a fingernail.
The term functions as both a field of study and a descriptor for the tiny components themselves.
Partial electrical conductor
- waferThin crisp disk
- lithographyGrease-based flat plate printing
- photolithographyLight-transfers patterns onto silicon
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
cleanroom · die · packaging · substrate · metallization · doping · deposition · implantation
Semiconductor signal switch
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- resistorCurrent-limiting circuit element
- inductorCoil storing magnetic energy
chip · integrated circuit · CMOS · amplifier · sensor · MEMS · microcontroller · microprocessor
Reducing physical scale significantly
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- microscaleAt micrometer dimensions
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
- compactTightly packed together
precision · tiny · microscopic · small-scale · high-density · micron · nanometer · shrinkage
Comparable equivalent
- digitalOf discrete data
- ASICSingle-purpose microchip
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
oscillator · filter · converter · regulator · interface · bus · signal processing · embedded
Metalloid in electronics
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- dielectricPolarizable electrical non-conductor
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
gold · aluminum · polysilicon · oxide · nitride · photoresist · solder · epoxy
Consistent, predictable performance
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- multimeterCombined electrical measuring device
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
- probeThorough examination or tool
parametric · burn-in · failure analysis · quality · inspection · characterization · ESD · packaging
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
- waferThin crisp disk
- lithographyGrease-based flat plate printing
- photolithographyLight-transfers patterns onto silicon
etching · cleanroom · die · packaging · substrate · metallization · doping · deposition · implantation · masking
transistor
Semiconductor signal switch
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
- capacitorCharge-storing circuit element
- resistorCurrent-limiting circuit element
inductor · chip · integrated circuit · CMOS · amplifier · sensor · MEMS · microcontroller · microprocessor · memory
miniaturization
Reducing physical scale significantly
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- microscaleAt micrometer dimensions
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
compact · precision · tiny · microscopic · small-scale · high-density · micron · nanometer · shrinkage · scaling
analog
Comparable equivalent
amplifier · oscillator · filter · converter · regulator · interface · bus · signal processing · embedded · RF
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- dielectricPolarizable electrical non-conductor
copper · gold · aluminum · polysilicon · oxide · nitride · photoresist · solder · epoxy · ceramic
reliability
Consistent, predictable performance
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- multimeterCombined electrical measuring device
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
probe · parametric · burn-in · failure analysis · quality · inspection · characterization · ESD · packaging · bonding
- tech industrysoftware, computers, semiconductors, hardware, Amazon
- precision workwatchmaking, microsurgery, diamond cutting, gem cutting, clockwork
- electrical engineeringelectrical engineer, current, circuit design, circuits, voltage
- engineering fieldscivil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science, robotics
- Micromicrobe, microbes, microchip, microchips, microscope
- DARPAARPANET, TCP/IP, hypersonics, stealth technology, cybersecurity