The most advanced integrated circuit is the core of microprocessor or multi-core processor, which can control everything from computer to mobile phone to digital microwave oven. Although the cost of designing and developing a complex integrated circuit is very high, the cost of each integrated circuit is minimized when it is dispersed into millions of products. The performance of the integrated circuit is very high, because the small size brings short path, so the low-power logic circuit can be applied in the fast switching speed.
Over the years, integrated circuits have continued to develop to a smaller size, which allows each chip to package more circuits. In this way, the capacity per unit area is increased, which can reduce the cost and increase the function. See Moore's law, the number of transistors in the integrated circuit is doubled every 1.5 years. In short, with the reduction of the overall size, almost all the indicators are improved, the unit cost and switching power consumption are reduced, and the speed is increased. However, there are also problems with ICs that integrate nanoscale devices, mainly leakage current. Therefore, the increase in speed and power consumption for end users is very obvious, and manufacturers face the sharp challenge of using better geometry. This process and the expected progress in the next few years are well described in the semiconductor international technology roadmap.
Only half a century after its development, integrated circuits have become ubiquitous, and computers, mobile phones and other digital appliances have become an indispensable part of the social structure. This is because modern computing, communication, manufacturing and transportation systems, including the Internet, all depend on the existence of integrated circuits. Even many scholars believe that the digital revolution brought by integrated circuits is the most important event in human history. The maturity of IC will bring a great leap forward in science and technology. Whether it is in the design technology or the semiconductor process breakthrough, the two are closely related