Why is silicon such a popular choice for making computer chips?

We use silicon for most chips because it’s not only a good conductor of heat, which helps in managing power loss, but also because it has a stable band gap that works well for many applications. The fact that silicon dioxide can be easily used as an insulator makes silicon even more attractive. In the production process, silicon is first purified and then grown into a monocrystal, either by pulling it from a melt or by zone melting. I think this method of growing large, defect-free crystals is key to making reliable and efficient chips.

You’ll see that silicon is popular for chips because it has a good balance of properties. Its band gap is ideal for most electronic uses, and it can handle heat well, which is crucial for small, high-power devices. The way silicon is produced is fascinating—it's purified from sand, then melted and grown into a monocrystal using processes like Czochralski or zone melting. These methods ensure the silicon is very pure and consistent, which is essential for making reliable chips.