After oxygen, silicon is the second most abundant element on
Earth. It can be extracted from sand relatively easily. This
availability, combined with the ease of creating circuits with
silicon, makes it very inexpensive to produce, compared with
other semiconductors.
Unlike other semiconductors, silicon's conductivity is very easy
to change. Through the doping process, manufacturers can
introduce elements that make silicon more conductive, less
conductive and even non-conductive. This means that
manufacturers can use fewer materials for chips, making more
intricate circuits for increased function.
Silicon is not the only semiconductor; carbon and germanium
also have comparable properties. Carbon, in its diamond
form, is too brittle to use in chips. Germanium chips were used
early in the computer era; the element is still sometimes used in
chips today. Silicon, however, can remain a semiconductor at
much higher temperatures than germanium. This becomes
important when chips are installed in computers near other
electronic elements that retain heat.
Conductors, like copper and other metals, make it difficult to
control an electric signal. Insulators, like glass and rubber,
block electric signals. A semiconductor lies somewhere
between a conductor and an insulator. Semiconductors and
silicon, in particular, can do a little of both. Depending on how
manufacturers treat the element, silicon can conduct, insulate
or do something in between. The treatment is called "doping,"
a process that introduces impurities into the silicon crystals.
In 1965, Gordon Moore predicted that the number of
transistors on integrated circuits would double approximately
every two years, making computers faster and more powerful.
His statement, named Moore's Law, remains true at the time of
publication. It was the ease and flexibility of silicon that made
this kind of rapid development.
Semi-Conductors
After oxygen, silicon is the second most plentiful element on
Earth. It can be removed from sand easily. Along with the
ease of creating circuits with silicon, it also costs less to produce
than semiconductors.
Unlike other semiconductors, silicon's ability to conduct
information is flexible. Through the doping process, producers
can make these elements fit their needs. This process means
that builders can use fewer materials for chips. It also makes
more complex circuits for added performance.
Depending on how builders treat the element, silicon can
conduct, insulate, or do something in between. The treatment
is called "doping,” A process that introduces dust particles into
the silicon crystals.
.
Silicon is not the only semiconductor. The elements carbon and
germanium have comparable properties. Carbon, in its
diamond form, is too hard to use in chips. Germanium chips
were used early in the computer era as well as today. Silicon,
however, can stay a semiconductor at much higher
temperatures than germanium. This becomes important when
chips are installed in computers near other electronic elements
that hold heat.
Using conductors, like copper and other metals, make it hard
to control the speed of the electric signal. Insulators, like glass
and rubber, block electric signals. A semiconductor’s
properties are somewhere between a conductor and an
insulator. Semiconductors and silicon can both control the
speed in a circuit.
In 1965, Gordon Moore predicted that the number of transistors
on integrated circuits would double about every two years.
This made computers faster and more powerful. His statement,
named Moore's Law, remains true at the time of this writing. It
was the element silicon that made this kind of fast growth.
Semi-Conductors