Light-sensitive chemical materials, known as photoresists, are fundamental components in the manufacturing of electronic chips and integrated circuits. These materials rely on their chemical properties, which change upon exposure to light, enabling the creation of precise patterns on silicon wafer surfaces. What are Photoresists? A photoresist is a polymeric material applied to the surface of a silicon wafer,sensitive to specific types of light (often ultraviolet radiation). When exposed to light through a photomask, its chemical structure changes, becoming either soluble or resistant to removal, depending on the type of photoresist used. Types of Photoresists: 1. Positive Photoresist: The portion exposed to light becomes more soluble, meaning light removes the material. 2. Negative Photoresist: The portion exposed to light becomes more resistant and difficult to remove, meaning the material hardens upon light exposure. Steps for Using Photoresists in Chip Fabrication: 1. Coating the wafer with a thin layer of photoresist. 2. Exposing the wafer to light through a mask containing the desired pattern. 3. Treating the wafer with a chemical solution to remove the exposed portions of the photoresist. 4. Using the resulting pattern for etching or implanting electronic components onto the wafer. Importance of Photoresists: · Enable the manufacturing of electronic components at the nanometer scale. · Contribute to fabrication precision and error reduction. · Used in computers, smartphones, microprocessors, and other devices. Industry Development: Photoresist manufacturing has evolved alongside advancements in photolithography technology,allowing for the reduction of transistor sizes and increased density on a single chip. This has been essential in developing more powerful and compact processors. The production of light-sensitive chemical materials represents a sophisticated technology bridging chemistry and electronic engineering. Without these materials, the tremendous advancements we witness in the world of microelectronics and modern processors would not have been possible. -- University of Al-Mustaqbal Ranks First Among Iraqi Private Universities