The electronics industry has undergone a radical transformation in recent decades, driven by technological innovation and the growing demand for increasingly sophisticated, more powerful, smaller, faster and eco-sustainable devices. A key element of this evolution is represented by the special gases used in production processes, fundamental to guarantee the quality and efficiency of the finished products.
The use of gases in the semiconductor industry
The semiconductor industry uses various specialty gases and electronic grade gases for the production and processing of high-quality electronic components. These gases are essential for various processes, like the growth of silicon crystalsthin film deposition, oxidation, lithography, chemical vapor deposition, etching and surface cleaning.
THE special gases, mainly in bulk form, the most commonly used are nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, argon, oxygen and carbon dioxide and they are fundamental not only for creating inert atmospheres but are also currently used in the purging phases of plants and equipment, for cryogenic cleaning and washing applications, also intervening directly in the main wafer processing phases as support and process gas.
Below are more examples of how electronic grade gases are fundamental for the production processes of this sector of the industry.
Deposition gas and epitaxy
Chemical vapor deposition and epitaxy are techniques that require gases such as silane, ammonia, trichlorosilane, etc. for the controlled growth of thin layers of semiconductor materialessential for the manufacturing of electronic components such as transistors and diodes, which form the heart of electronic devices.
Gas for etching and cleaning
Etching involves using gases such as nitrogen trifluoride, hydrofluoric acid, methyl fluoride, carbonyl sulfide, and methane difluoride to selectively remove pieces of material to create precise structures inside semiconductors.
Doping gas
Doping is the process of addition of controlled impurities to semiconductors to modify its electrical properties. Gases such as diborane, arsine and phosphine introduce boron, arsenic or phosphorus atoms into silicon crystals, making it possible to create electronic components such as diodes and transistors.
Gas for LED
Widely used in lighting and electronic displays, LEDs are produced via epitaxial deposition techniques that require gases such as ammonia and trimethylgallium. These gases allow the growth of gallium nitride layers on substratesfundamental for the production of high-efficiency LEDs.
Gas safety and management in the electronics industry
As we have seen, all process gases regularly used in the semiconductor industry play a key role in manufacturing processes, from the preservation of electronic components to the oxidation of silicon and the annealing of metal films. That’s why companies operating in these sectors must ensure that the use of gases always takes place in controlled and safe conditionsin full compliance with the relevant regulations.
To safeguard the safety of all these production processes, It is essential to continuously train staffintervene promptly in case of accidents and maintain the systems in compliance with current UNI standards.
Gases for electronics from Nippon Gases
Nippon Gases is a recognized leading company in the sector of specialty gases for electronics and offers complete solutions for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries. The company is part of Nippon Sanso Holdings Corporation (NSHD) and operates high-purity nitrogen production facilities and semiconductor specialty gas supply systems. This allows the company to guarantee a stable and continuous supply of process gas via pipelineessential for the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals.
Nippon Gases solutions
- NANOCHEM SSG purifiers: Offer purification at the source, near or at the point of use.
- Instruments for the chemical vapor deposition of organic metals: allow the deposition of thin films of composite semiconductors.
- Electronic gas abatement system: designed to safely treat and purify exhaust gases.
- On-site gas management: includes TGCM, security training and remote monitoring systems.
Nippon Gases, then, is a reliable strategic partner for the electronics industry and is able to supply high quality specialty gases, maintaining a robust supply chain and state-of-the-art production facilities. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 17025 certified, and is a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), demonstrating a commitment to high social, environmental and ethical standards.
