Making a CPU, which is the brain of a computer, is a very complex process. It starts with the design. Designers decide how the CPU will work, including how many cores it has and how fast it can process information. Before building it, they use computer programs to test the design and make sure it works correctly.
We mainly use silicon as the raw material for the production process. Silicon is a material that comes from sand and can carry electricity when treated in certain ways, as it is a semi conductor .
Now lets dive into the production process of the microchip➡️
🥇The silicon is purified and shaped into a large cylinder called an ingot. This cylinder is then sliced into very thin discs called wafers, which will become the base for all the CPU circuits.
🥈After that comes photolithography. This is a process where the CPU’s design is printed onto the wafer using light. A special chemical called photoresist is applied to the wafer, which reacts to light. The light makes certain parts hard while leaving others soft. The soft parts are then washed away, leaving tiny paths for electricity to flow. These paths will eventually become the transistors, which are tiny switches that control electricity in the CPU.
🥉Then comes doping, which means adding very small amounts of other materials to the silicon to change how it conducts electricity. This helps the transistors work properly. Multiple layers of materials are added to create connections, and metals like copper are used to let electricity flow between parts. The wafer is polished to make it flat so that the next layers can be added accurately.
4️⃣Once all the layers are done, the wafer is tested to see which parts are working correctly. Each wafer has hundreds of CPU chips, called dies, and not all of them may work. The wafer is then cut into individual dies. The working dies are put into a protective case called packaging, which also connects them to the outside world so they can be used in computers.
Finally, each CPU is tested again to check how fast it works and if it is stable. Based on these tests, CPUs are sorted into groups depending on performance and speed.
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| Wafers of different sizes |
Making a CPU is a very complex process that needs a lot of precision and care.
From sand to a tiny chip that can perform billions of calculations, every step is important.
With new technology, CPUs are getting even smaller and more powerful, shaping the future of computers. Currently pioneers in CPU manufacturing are specially intel and AMD.
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| Inside Intel's Manufacturing Facilities |