India, May 1 -- What Is Etching In Semiconductor Manufacturing?

In semiconductor manufacturing, etching is a crucial process that sculpts the intricate circuits on a silicon wafer. It works by selectively removing thin layers of material to create the desired patterns. The following are the two main etching techniques in use today:

Wet Etching: Uses liquid chemicals to dissolve the exposed material. This is a simpler and cheaper approach but can be less precise.

Dry Etching: Employs a plasma of reactive gases or ions to bombard the wafer, physically removing material. This offers better control and precision for complex circuits.

How Does Etching Work?

Etching in semiconductors relies on creating a pattern on the wafer and then selec...