Silicon Wafer for Research & Production
Inseto is a leading silicon wafer supplier, serving customers across the semiconductor fabrication and advanced research sectors. We deliver high purity wafers with exceptional, flatness, and surface quality, to customers around the world.
We offer silicon substrates in a wide range of sizes, from 25mm (1 inch) up to 300mm (12 inches) in diameter. These wafers are available in three types: P-type, N-type, and intrinsic (undoped) silicon.
We have the right silicon wafer for your project. This applies whether you are in a university laboratory or in production.
What is a Silicon Wafer?
A silicon wafer is a thin, circular slice of ultra-pure crystalline silicon that acts as the base substrate material for producing semiconductor devices and photovoltaic solar cells. It provides the surface on which integrated circuits and related elements are constructed through advanced techniques such as doping, etching, and photolithography.
Available in several wafer grades, such as Prime, Test, and Mechanical. Each grade is good for different wafer fabrication and semiconductor research needs. Flats or notches cut into one or more sides indicate the crystallographic plane.
Key Features of Silicon Wafers
- Wafer Grades: Prime, Test and Mechanical Silicon Wafers
- Polish Options: Single Side Polished (SSP) or Double Side Polished (DSP)
- Crystal Growth: Czochralski (CZ) or Float-Zone (FZ)
- Coatings: Wet/Dry Thermal Oxide, PECVD Oxide, LPCVD Nitride & more
- Resistivity: Wide range available for various applications
- Dopant: n-type or p-type
- Orientation: <100>, <111>, and custom orientations
- Flatness: Bow, Warp and Total Thickness Variation (TTV)
Buy Silicon Wafers online
We maintain a large inventory of different Silicon wafer types for rapid dispatch. Browse our “Online Semiconductor Wafer Store” to view current stock and technical specifications.
- Extensive Inventory: A wide selection wafer sizes & thicknesses
- Fast Global Shipping: Rapid dispatch from our UK warehouse
- Custom Processing: Oxide and nitride deposition, wafer thinning and more
- Expert Support: Technical advice to help you select the right wafer
- No Minimum Order: Perfect for both R&D and production environments
- Quality Assurance: All wafers undergo rigorous inspection processes
Delivering high purity Silicon Wafers
With an extensive inventory both at our UK site and that of our partners we offer silicon wafers delivered to your facility with short leaditmes and in quantities to meet your exact demands. Be that single wafers to try a new idea or experiment or long term call-off commitments to ensure reliable supply for your production.
About Silicon Wafer Grades
Prime grade wafers have exceptionally flat and defect-free surfaces. This makes them perfect for high precision tasks like device fabrication, photolithography, and epitaxial growth.
Test grade wafers are a cost-effective choice for process development and equipment calibration. They offer slightly lower surface quality than prime grade wafers.
For less important tasks, mechanical grade wafers, also known as reclaimed, work well. They are good for dicing, mechanical testing, and other general uses.
Why are Silicon Wafers used to manufacture Semiconductor Devices?
Silicon wafers offer numerous benefits, making them the preferred choice for semiconductor fabrication:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other materials silicon is relatively inexpensive.
- Scalability: The ability to produce silicon wafers in large quantities allows for scalability in manufacturing processes.
- Electrical Properties: Silicon is a semiconductor, meaning it can conduct electricity under certain conditions, which is essential for integrated circuits, transistors, and diodes. Its bandgap of ~1.1 eV is ideal for controlling current flow in electronic devices.
- Thermal Efficiency: Silicon has excellent heat transfer with a melting point of around 1414°C.
- Mechanical Strength: Silicon wafers offer high mechanical strength, allowing them to withstand processing stresses.
- Flatness: The wafers are manufactured with exceptional flatness and surface smoothness, critical for photolithography and microfabrication. Its low thermal expansion also ensures dimensional stability during thermal cycling.
- Chemical Compatibility: Silicon is chemically stable and compatible with a wide range of deposition and etching processes. It can be coated with: Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) for insulation and passivation. Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) for barrier and masking layers.
Got a Question About Silicon Wafers?
Curious about semiconductor materials and how to choose the right silicon wafer? Explore our “Semiconductor Wafer Selection Guide” for expert insights. You’ll also find a wealth of information in our free “Knowledge Base“, covering semiconductor processes, technologies, and more.
Choosing the right Silicon wafer can be complex, especially if you’re unsure about specifications or material types. That’s why Inseto offers expert guidance to help you make the best choice for your application.
Whether you’re developing a new product or refining an existing process, Inseto’s team of experts is here to help. From selecting the right semiconductor wafer to onsite training, we provide technical guidance, documentation, and support for your production needs.
Applications for Silicon Wafers
Key Applications
Silicon wafers are essential components in the semiconductor industry, serving as the base material for a wide range of technologies. Key applications include:
- Integrated Circuits (ICs): Used to manufacture ICs that power devices like smartphones, computers, and other electronics.
- Solar Cells: High-purity silicon wafers are critical for producing photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity.
- MEMS Devices: Silicon wafers support Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), enabling sensors and actuators in automotive and consumer electronics.
- Medical Devices: Applied in biosensors, lab-on-a-chip systems, and implantable electronics for advanced healthcare solutions.
- Automotive Electronics: Integral to power management and control systems in modern vehicles.
- Research & Development: Prime-grade wafers are ideal for prototyping, testing, and material science innovations.
Silicon Wafers Product Range
Wafer Specifications
- Sizes: Available from 1 inch to 300mm in diameter (custom sizes also available)
- Grades: Prime, Test, and Mechanical
- Crystal Growth Methods: Czochralski (CZ) and Float Zone (FZ)
- Types: N-type, P-type, and Intrinsic (undoped) silicon
- Crystal Orientation: <100>, <110>, and <111> Miller indices
- Surface Finish: Single Side Polished (SSP) or Double Side Polished (DSP)
- Thickness: From 240 to 5000 microns, with custom options available
- Resistivity: Ranges from 0.01 to 5000 ohm·cm
- Dopants:
- N-type: Phosphorus, Arsenic, or Antimony
- P-type: Boron or Gallium
- N-type: Phosphorus, Arsenic, or Antimony
- P-type: Boron or Gallium
- Standards: SEMI standard PRIME and non-standard thicknesses
- Identification: Flats or notches indicate the crystallographic orientation
Knowledge Base Articles
Related Products
Further Information
Wiki – Silicon Wafer Description
Silicon Wafer Applications
Integrated Circuits, Discrete Semiconductor Devices, Power Electronics, MEMS, Sensors and Imaging Devices, Photovoltaics, Solar Cells, RF and Analogue Devices, Compound Semiconductor Substrates, Advanced Packaging and Interposers, Research and Specialised Applications, Material Exfoliation
Industry Segments
Semiconductor Fabrication and Research, Materials Research
Region
You can buy Semiconductor Wafers directly from Inseto with fast delivery available worldwide.
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