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Release of arsenic from semiconductor wafers

Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1985 Aug;46(8):416-20. doi: 10.1080/15298668591395094.

Abstract

The production of integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices requires the introduction of impurities or dopants into the crystal lattice of a silicon substrate. This "doping" or junction formation is achieved through one of two processes: thermal diffusion or ion implantation. Ion implantation, the more contemporary and more accurate of the two processes, accomplishes junction formation by bombarding selected areas of the silicon wafer with a beam of dopant ions. Inorganic arsenic, which is regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) as a carcinogen, is frequently used as dopant material. Silicon wafers are found to emit inorganic arsenic following ion implantation. Data collected during this experiment demonstrate that arsenic is released over a 3.5-hour period following implantation and that the total amount of arsenic emitted may approach 6.0 micrograms per 100 wafers processed within 4 hours after implantation. The discovery and quantification of this phenomenon suggest that newly implanted silicon wafers are a potential source of arsenic contamination--a source that may impact both the quality of the work environment and the integrated circuit product.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis*
  • Arsenic / analysis*
  • Electronics*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Arsenic