ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Semiconductor fabrication plant

A semiconductor fabrication plant is like a factory where tiny electronic parts are made for computers and other gadgets. These electronic parts are called semiconductors, and they are made by using special machines to put together layers of different materials like silicon, copper, and gold.

First, a slice of silicon is cut from a large crystal and then polished until it's perfectly smooth. A special machine called a photolithography machine is then used to draw very small patterns on the silicon slice using a type of light. Think of this like coloring on a piece of paper, but instead of crayons, we use light!

After the patterns are drawn, a type of acid is used to etch the silicon and remove any parts that we don't need. This creates tiny pathways and connections that will later allow electricity to flow through the semiconductor.

Then, special machines deposit thin layers of different materials like copper and gold onto the silicon. These layers are carefully placed on the patterns to create tiny electronic devices like transistors and diodes.

Finally, the finished semiconductors are tested to make sure they work correctly before they are shipped off to companies that use them to make computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices.

So, a semiconductor fabrication plant is like a big factory where machines are used to create tiny electronic parts that are used to make all kinds of electronic gadgets we use every day!