Processors are at the heart of every device you use. From smartwatches to computers, all electronic devices need a processor to perform complex calculations that result in everything that happens on your device. But, have you ever wondered how a small piece of silicon does such complex tasks? Well, with each instruction cycle, a mathematical operation is performed by a logic circuit within the processor, known as the arithmetic logic unit. The processor takes the instruction from memory, uses the arithmetic logic unit, and then stores the result back in the memory. But what are processors made of and how are they made? keep reading to find out!
Transistors: What are they?
A part essential to modern processors are transistors, which control the flow of electrons through a circuit. It is made up of semiconductor material, which means that it can be both a conductor for electricity, but also an insulator. In order to build a processor, multiple transistors must be arranged into a small space. As a result, modern transistors are thousands of times smaller than a human hair. In modern processors that power phones, laptops, and desktops, there are billions of transistors! And, every year, the number of transistors inside new processors will double, according to Moore's Law. The transistor is the fundamental of modern processors.
How are Processors Made?
Processors are made of sand, believe it or not! However, this sand is very different from the sand you would find on the beach, as it is richer in silicon, which is a semiconductor. The sand is first heated, then purified, and then cooled to form a large cylinder of silicon. It is important that this silicon is pure because transistors are getting smaller and smaller every generation, so that more can be fit on the processor, allowing for it to do more. Since everything is so small, there is no margin for error. As a result, the places where processors are made have to be kept sterile, with good air circulation and no dust. The silicon is then sliced into thin wafers. These almost look like CD's, without the hole in the center. These wafers are then polished, then after a special photosensitive chemical is applied to them, and then ultraviolet light is shone through a stencil-like cutout that has the layout of the transistors that was designed for the chip. The wafer is then washed in a solvent that dissolves the area where the pattern was drawn on the wafer. This leaves a new pattern which another machine can etch into the wafer. Then, the etches are bombarded by ions, which change the way the silicon conducts electricity, creating the billions of transistors that can be found on a modern chip. Then, the transistors are connected to complete the chip. They are then tested, and the good processors are packaged.
Why do Processors Produce Heat?
When you use your phone for a long time, you'll notice that it can get warm. This is because of the operations taking place in the processor. Each processor requires energy to operate. The amount of power going through a processor determines the amount of heat it produces. Since phones are small, they have less powerful chips, because phones are too small for bigger heatsinks that get rid of heat. However, in a larger computer, you'll often find more powerful chips, since desktops can have larger heatsinks, and can also be cooled by water, which is more efficient than air.
Written by Overclocked RGB
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