Cleanroom Fundamentals & Semiconductor Technologies
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Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
In a semiconductor cleanroom, you learn how to work in a highly controlled environment where cleanliness and safety are essential.
Learn how devices are fabricated on silicon wafers via techniques like Photolithography, Etching, Deposition, and more.
Skills you'll gain
- Laboratory Procedures
- Higher Education
- Critical Thinking
- Manufacturing Processes
- Semiconductors
- Mechanical Engineering
- Laboratory Equipment
- Goal Setting
- Electronics
- Time Management
- Problem Solving
- Engineering
- Emerging Technologies
- Electrical Engineering
- Materials science
- Chemical Engineering
- Self-Starter
- Electronic Components
Details to know
January 2026
1 assignment
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There are 4 modules in this course
This entry-level online course offers a brief overview of silicon-based semiconductor fabrication, geared toward engineering undergraduates, graduate students, and pre-college learners exploring career paths in the semiconductor field. No prior experience is required. Students receive an introduction to cleanroom facilities and the environment in which microfabrication takes place. They will then apply their knowledge in a hands-on virtual lab that walks you through University at Buffalo's Davis Hall Cleanroom (among the most advanced in the region) that demonstrates the core processes of Photolithography and Etching.
What's included
3 videos3 readings
3 videos•Total 4 minutes
- Introduction Video•2 minutes
- University at Buffalo - Cleanroom Tour •1 minute
- SUNY Erie Community College - Cleanroom Tour•1 minute
3 readings•Total 12 minutes
- Welcome Message & Course Overview•5 minutes
- Course Syllabus (Downloadable PDF)•5 minutes
- Acknowledgements•2 minutes
This section of the course covers essential topics related to cleanroom operations and semiconductor fabrication. Key areas include an Introduction to Transistors, the Fundamentals of Cleanroom Environments, Semiconductor Materials, an Overview of Vacuum Science, and the Principles and Processes of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD).
What's included
5 videos10 readings1 discussion prompt
5 videos•Total 141 minutes
- Transistors Video Lecture•7 minutes
- Cleanrooms •43 minutes
- Semiconductor Materials•38 minutes
- Vacuum Science Overview•27 minutes
- Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)•26 minutes
10 readings•Total 63 minutes
- Transistors Slides•5 minutes
- ElectronicsHub - Additional Resource•10 minutes
- Cleanrooms Slides•5 minutes
- Cleanroom: A Comprehensive Guide - Additional Resource•7 minutes
- Semiconductor Materials Slides•5 minutes
- Semiconductor Fabrication - Additional Resources•7 minutes
- Vacuum Science Overview Slides•5 minutes
- Leybold Fundamentals - Additional Resource•7 minutes
- Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Slides•5 minutes
- What is Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)? - Additional Resource•7 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Discussion Prompts•10 minutes
An Overview of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Semiconductor Doping, Thermal Oxidation of Silicon, Wet and Dry Processing, and Photolithography.
What's included
6 videos12 readings1 discussion prompt
6 videos•Total 178 minutes
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)•38 minutes
- Doping•33 minutes
- Oxidation•27 minutes
- Wet Processing•16 minutes
- Dry Etching•17 minutes
- Photolithography•46 minutes
12 readings•Total 72 minutes
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Slides•5 minutes
- MIT News & Lam Research - Additional Resources•7 minutes
- Doping Slides•5 minutes
- The Role of Doping & Ion Implantation - Additional Resource•7 minutes
- Oxidation Slides•5 minutes
- Thermal Oxidation - Additional Resource•7 minutes
- Wet Processing Slides•5 minutes
- Etching for Wet Processing & RCA Critical Cleaning Process - Additional Resource•7 minutes
- Dry Etching Slides•5 minutes
- Understanding Plasma Etching - Additional Resource•7 minutes
- Photolithography Slides•5 minutes
- Semiconductor Lithography - Additional Resource•7 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Discussion Prompts•10 minutes
This two-part lab experience provides students with an immersive, hands-on introduction to fundamental semiconductor fabrication processes, specifically within the Photolithography Bay (Yellow Light) and the Etching Bay (White Light). Through direct work with silicon wafers, students will learn how intricate patterns are transferred and developed in microfabrication.
What's included
6 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
6 videos•Total 51 minutes
- Vapor-Priming Wafer•7 minutes
- Spin-Coat Photoresist•7 minutes
- Expose Image •22 minutes
- Develop Image•8 minutes
- Etched Patterned Wafer•5 minutes
- Remove Photoresist•1 minute
2 readings•Total 10 minutes
- Photolithography Bay - What it is & Why Yellow Light?•5 minutes
- Etch Bay Description - What it is & Why White Light?•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 5 minutes
- Course Reflection & Future Perspective•5 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Optional Discussion Prompt: Course Reflection & Future Perspective •10 minutes
Instructor
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