Semiconductor composite materials form the foundational substrate for chip design and production, with silicon and various compounds coexisting as the primary materials in the semiconductor nanomaterials market. Silicon, gallium arsenide,high voltage probe gallium nitride, and silicon carbide are common semiconductor materials shaping the semiconductor industry's landscape. Despite the development of third-generation semiconductor materials such as silicon carbide, gallium nitride, and diamond, silicon remains the predominant material, constituting over 90% of semiconductor products.
The versatility of silicon materials, coupled with their mature manufacturing process and abundance, positions them as a cornerstone in semiconductor production. Silicon's intrinsic advantages,wafer chuck such as being safe, non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and a natural insulator, contribute to its irreplaceable role in the industry. The mature manufacturing process has evolved from 2-inch wafers in 1970 to 18-inch wafers in 2020, showcasing the extensive development in silicon material application technology.
Silicon's abundance, constituting 27.7% of the Earth's crust, aids in reducing the material cost of semiconductors.manual prober The mature manufacturing process provides economies of scale, making silicon materials cost-effective and further solidifying their indispensable position in the industry.
In the semiconductor industry chain, silicon wafers, the core material for chip production, hold paramount importance. Upstream in the industry chain involves silicon ore as the raw material, midstream encompasses silicon wafer manufacturers, and downstream includes chip manufacturers. The bargaining power within this chain is dynamic, with silicon ore having weak bargaining power due to its abundant raw materials. In contrast, silicon wafer manufacturers, requiring sophisticated machinery and expertise, hold significant bargaining power, especially when possessing high technology and customer certifications.
The semiconductor industry chain extends to the development of application systems, such as 5G communications, IoT, smartphones, automotive, and artificial intelligence, each driving demand for silicon wafers. The downstream application development relies on the supply of upstream silicon, emphasizing the critical role of silicon chips as foundational components for end-use applications. The interconnected nature of the semiconductor industry underscores the importance of qualified silicon chips in providing a robust foundation for downstream terminals and chip production. Technological innovations in these downstream applications fuel the demand for silicon wafers, reinforcing silicon's enduring significance in the semiconductor landscape.
