UK researchers unveil cheaper chip manufacture method

UK researchers say they have found a cheaper and more energy-efficient way to make computer chips.

Engineers at University College London (UCL) have found a way to use ultraviolet (UV) light instead of furnaces to create the silicon dioxide insulation layer on computer chips.

Download this free guide

UK IT Priorities 2018 survey results

Download this e-guide to discover the results of our 2018 UK IT Priorities survey, where IT leaders shared with us what they are going to be investing in over the coming 12 months.

Start Download

• Corporate E-mail Address:

  You forgot to provide an Email Address.

  This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

  This email address is already registered. Please login.

  You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

  Please provide a Corporate E-mail Address.

• • I agree to TechTarget’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and the transfer of my information to the United States for processing to provide me with relevant information as described in our Privacy Policy.

  Please check the box if you want to proceed.

• • I agree to my information being processed by TechTarget and its Partners to contact me via phone, email, or other means regarding information relevant to my professional interests. I may unsubscribe at any time.

  Please check the box if you want to proceed.

By submitting my Email address I confirm that I have read and accepted the Terms of Use and Declaration of Consent.

The breakthrough could lead to big energy savings for chip makers and ultimately lower prices for customers.

The film of silicon dioxide is an insulating layer and is where electrical circuits are later etched using photolithography.

Chip makers currently bake silicon wafers in furnaces at up to 1,000 degrees centigrade to create the necessary silicon dioxide layer.

UCL engineers have found a way to speed up the dioxide creation at room temperature using UV lamps.

Using this method they say they can create a suitable layer of dioxide in about the same amount of time it takes to blast the silicon in a furnace.

UCL said it could take several years before the technology was ready for commercial use however, as further testing was necessary.

Chip manufacturers have already been in touch with UCL about the process, said the university.