NEWS

A 12-inch wafer is a circular thin slice made of monocrystalline silicon, serving as the fundamental material for semiconductor manufacturing and the core carrier of integrated circuits. Why is it so important?

Reducing per-chip cost: The larger the wafer size, the more chips can be manufactured on a single wafer, thereby lowering the cost per chip. Under the same process technology and yield conditions, a 12-inch wafer can produce more than twice as many chips as an 8-inch wafer, thus spreading fixed costs and improving profit margins and production efficiency.

Enhancing chip performance: With advancements in semiconductor technology, chip integration levels continue to increase, requiring more precise processes and larger surface areas to achieve more functionalities. Compared to 8-inch wafers, 12-inch wafers not only accommodate more chips but also enable the production of more complex and higher-performance chips. For example, in the CIS field, 12-inch wafers can implement backside illumination technology to improve image quality and light sensitivity; in the NOR Flash field, they enable smaller memory cells and higher storage density; in the BCD field, they support higher voltage and current drive capabilities.

Meeting market demand: With the rapid development of emerging fields such as 5G, IoT, artificial intelligence, and automotive electronics, the demand for chips with high-end performance, high efficiency, low power consumption, and large capacity continues to grow. These fields require advanced chip processes and manufacturing technologies, making 12-inch wafers essential for production.