Question

What is the role of SiO2 in Integrated Circuits?

(a) Insulating component

(b) Resistance component

(c) Voltage component

(d) Output component

The question was posed to me in class test.

My query is from Semiconductor Electronics in portion Semiconductor Electronics : Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits of Physics – Class 12

Answer 1

Right option is (a) Insulating component

To explain I would say: SiO2 acts as a diffusion mask permitting selective diffusions into the silicon wafer through the window etched into oxide. In other words, it is used for creating a protective SiO2 layer on the wafer surface of the IC. Therefore, SiO2 acts as an insulating component for integrated circuits.