What Is A Semiconductor? An Electrical Engineer Explains How These Critical Electronic Components Are

What is a semiconductor? An electrical engineer explains how these critical electronic components are made

Semiconductors are a critical part of almost every modern electronic device, and the vast majority of semiconductors are made in Tawain. Increasing concerns over the reliance on Taiwain for semiconductors—especially given the tenuous relationship between Taiwan and China—led the U.S. Congress to pass the CHIPS and Science act in late July 2022. The act provides more than US$50 billion in subsidies to boost U.S. semiconductor production and has been widely covered in the news. Trevor Thornton, an electrical engineer who studies semiconductors, explains what these devices are and how they are made.

1. What is a semiconductor?

Generally speaking, the term semiconductor refers to a material—like silicon—that can conduct electricity much better than an insulator such as glass, but not as well as metals like copper or aluminum. But when people are talking about semiconductors today, they are usually referring to semiconductor chips.

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