Virginia Tech® home

ECE 4234 - Semiconductor Processing (3C)

Course Description

Manufacturing practices used in silicon integrated circuit fabrication and the underlying scientific basis for these process technologies. Physical models are developed to explain basic fabrication steps, such as substrate growth, thermal oxidation, dopant diffusion, ion implantation, thin film deposition, etching, and lithography. The overall CMOS integrated circuit process flow is described within the context of these physical models.

Why take this course?

The key to realizing the theoretical limits of electronic device and circuit performance is the ability to integrate many dissimilar materials over extremely small length scales into complex three-dimensional patterns. The aim of this course is to better prepare students for advanced work in microelectronics by teaching them the basic physical underpinnings of this integration in semiconductor processing.

Learning Objectives

  • Analyze the basic physical principles underlying the key semiconductor processing steps.
  • Analyze the manufacturing methods and equipment used throughout the integrated circuit fabrication process.
  • Evaluate the mechanical, chemical, optical and electrical measurements used to characterize the semiconductor wafer at crucial stages in the fabrication process.
  • Apply computer simulation in process development.
  • Calculate design parameters for individual process steps.
  • Explain the entire CMOS integrated circuit process flow including choices of materials and processing conditions.
  • Design an overall CMOS process to meet particular device objectives.
  • Students will master items (1) through (5) above for topics 1 through 9 of the syllabus, and items (6) and (7) above with respect to topic 10 of the syllabus.

    • Resources & Links

    Two-Semester Major Design Experience

    ECE’s two-semester Major Design Experience (ECE 4805-4806) provides teams of students with simulations of the post-college world via projects specified and directed by industry partners. For more information, contact class instructor, Dr. Joe Adams.

    Textbook List

    Take a look at the Fall 2024 ECE textbook list.
    Take a look at the Spring 2025 ECE textbook list.

    Current Prerequisites & Course Offering

    For current prerequisites for a particular course, and to view course offerings for a particular semester, see the Virginia Tech Course Timetables

    ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission

    The B.S. degree in electrical engineering and the B.S. degree in computer engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

    Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) & Student Outcomes (SOs)