semiconductor Last modified: Thursday, August 28, 2003
A material that is neither a good conductor of electricity (like copper) nor a good insulator (like rubber). The most common semiconductor materials are silicon and germanium. These materials are then doped to create an excess or lack of electrons. Computer chips, both for CPU and memory, are composed of semiconductor materials. Semiconductors make it possible to miniaturize electronic components, such as transistors. Not only does miniaturization mean that the components take up less space, it also means that they are faster and require less energy.
•E-mail this definition to a colleague• Sponsored listings IEEE Articles - Free Trial - Access To IEEE Journal & Conference Papers In The IEEE Digital Library. Search for Semiconductors - Broad-line distributor web site features real-time stock status and pricing, online ordering, RFQ, technical support, product datasheets and photos. Semiconductors - Global distributor of advanced technology semiconductor components, display and system solutions. For internet.com pages about semiconductor . Also check out the following links! Integrated circuit index  This is Questlink Technology's IC index. It contains information about thousands of integrated circuits including company profiles, contact information, product briefs, and a growing number of downloadable datasheets for hundreds of manufacturers. Search by part number, function or manufacturer or find product comparisons across manufacturers and between like products. MIT's Semiconductor Subway  MIT's Semiconductor Subway provides links to all manner of semiconductor and microsystems related information, including fabrication facilities, research activities, and standards work. PC system processor reference guide  Comprehensive look at the system processor. Covers semiconductor technology, manufacturing, characteristics, power, voltage levels, cooling, packaging, sockets, external and internal architecture. Discusses performance factors. Complete look at over 20 popular processors, including the latest offerings from Intel, AMD and Cyrix. QuestLink Technology Inc.'s home page  QuestLink's IC Index offers information about thousands of integrated circuits. In addition, there are links to a company profile, contact information, product briefs, and a growing number of datasheets for hundreds of manufacturers. Semiconductor Industry Association Web site  Contains links to an overview on semiconductors, industry news, worker safety and environment, chip stats, trade, research and technology, publications, and members and related organizations. JEDEC Solid State Technology Division Home page for the JEDEC, the organization that develops standards for the semiconductor industry and distributes them for free. National Semiconductor Home page for National Semiconductor. National Semiconductor home page This home page offers links to company and product information, design engineer resources, news articles, information on environmental health and safety, and an annual report. PC Week semiconductor article April 1996 PC Week article on the semiconductor market. Roots of the Processor: Digital Logic and the Semiconductor Describes the fundamentals of how digital logic and circuits work. This page is from "The PC Guide". SEMI OnLine SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) is an international trade association that represents semiconductor and flat panel display equipment and materials suppliers. Their home page provides links to corporate member sites, literature, standards, market information, events, and their flat panel display and environment health and safety divisions. Semiconductor news page This news page offers the latest articles relating to semiconductors. The stories are categorized by type of processor and are updated regularly. Semiconductor Safety Association (SSA) home page The SSA is a worldwide organization for safety, health and environmental professionals. Their home page offers links to newsletters, journals, chapter meetings, conferences, and recommended sites. Texas Instruments semiconductor page Texas Instruments Semiconductor products page. There are links to news, product information, publications, applications, and services and support. Yahoo!'s Electrical engineering semiconductor page Yahoo!'s directory of electrical engineering semiconductor information. There are links to companies, courses, institutes, organizations, and programmable devices. Yahoo!'s semiconductor companies page Yahoo!'s directory of semiconductor companies. Yahoo!'s semiconductor manufacturer page Yahoo!'s directory of semiconductor manufacturers. Sponsored listings MASS Group: Semiconductor Fab Management Software - Provides Semiconductor Fab Management, FactoryServer MES Manufacturing Execution Systems and FactoryServer CMMS EAM equipment utilization software. Semiconductors from 1-Source Electronic Components - Search our huge inventory of semiconductors. Online search and quote. Business to business only. Hamamatsu: Semiconductors - Develops and manufactures scientific imaging products, optics, lasers, and solid state and tube electronics including semiconductors. GlobalSpec.com: Semiconductors - Provides database of suppliers for semiconductors. Includes catalogs, technical information, and supplier contact information. Electrical Components and Parts - Browse Digi-Key’s online catalog, featuring over 750,000 electronic components and accessories from more than 330 of the world’s top manufacturers.	Integrated Circuits (ICs) Microprocessors chip CMOS die diode dope fab fabless ferrite core integrated circuit MEMS NEC NMOS silicon SOI Texas Instruments transistor wafer Give Us Your Feedback Shopping semiconductor Products Compare Products,Prices and Stores Shop by Category: Printers 11 Model Matches Books 321 Model Matches Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions 11 Model Matches Printer Accessories 57 Model Matches Personal Care 5 Store Offers