Wacker Develops New Specialty Silanes: Innovative Solutions For High-Performance Chips

Wacker has successfully developed a new precursor for the production of highly integrated memory chips and microprocessors. The corresponding computer chips can be used in fields that require highly complex computing tasks, such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The precursor is a new type of silane that can be used for chemical vapor deposition in semiconductor production. It can react with the wafer surface to form an extremely thin insulation layer with low dielectric constant to shield the guide rail and other components installed in a dense space from electromagnetic interference, ensuring the reliable operation of the highly integrated chip without interruption. The successful development of the new silane once again demonstrates the chemical group's emphasis on providing highly value-added solutions for the special needs of its customers.

Today's semiconductor chips are tiny but contain billions of transistors. As components continue to get smaller, the number of transistors and the performance of semiconductors continue to increase, and so do the technical challenges. One problem is the interaction between conductors and transistors. With more circuits and higher switching frequencies, the performance of the latest generation of chips is limited by electromagnetic fields.

New products from WACKER now offer a remedy. This special silane, composed of silicon, carbon and chlorine, is an important film forming raw material for chip production. It can react with the surface of the heated ultra-pure silicon wafer to form an insulating layer with low dielectric constant, which greatly reduces the electromagnetic interference of the high frequency moving charges in the guide rail.

Thomas Koini, President of WACKER's silicones Business unit, said: "Our chemists have carried out intensive research and succeeded in developing this silane, which can significantly improve the efficiency of chips, for the production of highly integrated computer chips with highly complex structures. Such chips are increasingly needed for computationally intensive applications such as artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and cloud computing."

Wacker has been supplying raw materials and additives to the semiconductor industry for many years. The chemical group is the largest polysilicon producer in Europe and is recognized globally as a leader in polysilicon technology and quality for semiconductor applications. Polysilicon is the basic raw material for ultra-pure silicon wafers, which can be further processed into computer chips. Currently, one out of every two chips in the world is made from WACKER polysilicon.

Less well known is that WACKER also supplies important process chemicals to the semiconductor industry. For example, the polishing paste produced by WACKER from fumed silica can be used as a mechanical abrasive to polish and flatten wafers. The chemical group is also one of the few hydrogen chloride producers that can provide the required purity and quality. The basic chemical hydrogen chloride is an important intermediate product and additive in WACKER's integrated production system for etching wafers and cleaning coating equipment. Just last year, WACKER expanded the capacity of process chemicals at its Burghausen site, investing tens of millions of euros.

For many years, chemicals used in thin film deposition, known as precursors, have not only been an integral part of WACKER's product portfolio, but have also been adopted by leading chip manufacturers. By developing these new specialty silanes, WACKER once again demonstrates the strategic importance of highly specialized semiconductor chemicals to its portfolio.

"We are now the quality leader in our field and one of the most sought-after suppliers of specialty silanes in the world," says Laurent Morineaux, head of the Functional Silicones business unit of WACKER's Silicone Business unit. Due to the high development costs and strict quality requirements of such specialty chemicals, more and more competitors have withdrawn from the market. Mr Morineaux pointed out: "WACKER did not do this. This market remains very attractive to us, so we will continue to focus on such products in the future and even expand our business in this area."

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