Japan Semiconductor Innovation 50 (T-9 1980s)
High Quality Silicon Wafers
Silicon transistor manufacturing started in Japan in the
1960's. High purity silicon crystal was necessary, and Japanese semiconductor
manufacturers started silicon wafer manufacturing by developing in-house
crystal pulling machine and processing machine. They then came to excel
over-seas manufacturers in the quality of silicon wafer processing as well
as crystal pulling, and started marketing of silicon wafers in overseas
in the 1970's. They also led the industry in large diameter wafers later,
and supply more than 60% to world-wide demand.
Silicon ingot made by Toshiba in 1956 |
Silicon ingots and wafers |
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| Quote from Toshiba company history | Quote from Shin-Etsu Chemical HP |