How small is a single transistor in a ULSI computer chip?

[JGalt]

In the last 30 years alone, integrated circuit chips have gone from Large Scale Integration, to Very Large Scale Integration, to Ultra Large Scale Integration.

The fact that there can be billions of individual transistors in an IC chip is mind-boggling.

 

[leftwinger]

Yep,

from: 4um, 1um, 0.8um, 0.5um

now: 5-7 nano-meter size transistors are in production. I believe it is CH length (or gate width)?

I am sure it is a FET type transistor (Gate Source Drain) they are talking about? Not a bipolar transistor (Emitter Base Collector)?

It Takes precision equipment to FAB any die with small size geometries I would say.

 

[JGalt]

Yep,

from: 4um, 1um, 0.8um, 0.5um

now: 5-7 nano-meter size transistors are in production. I believe it is CH length (or gate width)?

I am sure it is a FET type transistor (Gate Source Drain) they are talking about? Not a bipolar transistor (Emitter Base Collector)?

It Takes precision equipment to FAB any die with small size geometries I would say.

According to AI, ULSI circuits use MOSFETs as their primary component. Bipolar Junction Transistors are also used in some ULSI chips, primarily for specialized analog and mixed-signal applications.

 

[leftwinger]

1meter=39.37008inches
1micro meter=39.37008e-06 meter
1nano meter= 39.37008e-09 meter

0.000003937008 =1 micro meter
0.000000003937008 = 1nano m

Can't measure thesd dimensions with a tape measure. 1/16" wont help you.

 

[leftwinger]

According to AI, ULSI circuits use MOSFETs as their primary component. Bipolar Junction Transistors are also used in some ULSI chips, primarily for specialized analog and mixed-signal applications.

FET designs use less power. Used for digital (on/off high/low 1/0) they only use active power when changing states. (CMOS, JFET, GA-FET designs)

 

[JGalt]

FET designs use less power. Used for digital (on/off high/low 1/0) they only use active power when changing states. (CMOS, JFET, GA-FET designs)

I should remember that stuff because I was a bench tech back in the 90's. I spent 10 years peeking through a magnifying glass, chasing electrons with a VOM and oscilloscope, unsoldering components, and huffing solder fumes.

But I've forgotten more than I know.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

 

[leftwinger]

I think I messed up this meters to inches stuff above. Too late to delete before Stain pounce on it. I know I know, MAGA are dumb.

1um=0.00003937008"
1nm=0.00000003937008"

 

[scruffy]

Photonics is just on the horizon.