
6 Crystal Growth and Evaluation of Silicon for VLSI and ULSI
1.4 Use of Silicon as a Semiconductor
Silicon is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, making up to 25.7% by
mass next to oxygen element. This material is everywhere, but not in the form of a pure ele-
ment because of its reactive properties, particularly with oxygen. It is most widely distrib-
uted in the form of dusts, sands, planetoids, and planets as various forms of silicon dioxide
(silica) or silicates. The earth is more precisely constructed by different silica compounds
Parameter Physical value
Lattice hole mobility 500 cm
2
/V s
Melting point 1412
o
C
Minority carrier ...