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Ask HN: What books are recommended to learn the semiconductor industry?

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Re: Ask HN: What books are recommended to learn the semiconductor industry?

#22

Post by amelius »

readingnews wrote: post #9

Define "learn semiconductors industry"... I mean, you might say "I want to learn medicine" and people would take that many ways. I studied EECE (electrical and computer engineering) in my BS, then Physics, and my Ph.D. is in Computer Engineering, minor in CS, but very specifically on VLSI and chip-making in the graduate school. I am saying this just to note: When you say "semiconductors industry" my immediate thought…

Yeah, semiconductor industry could also mean: material sciences, quantum physics, chemistry, EDA tools, or even management.

Re: Ask HN: What books are recommended to learn the semiconductor industry?

#23

Post by deltaonefour »

qbasic_forever wrote: post #16

Learn the Mandarin language. Taiwan is the epicenter of the cutting edge work in the industry. China is the powerhouse of production for it too. Both speak Mandarin natively and it would behoove you to understand it and their cultures.

In Taiwan you have to learn english to get a phd.

Additionally, you should know Taiwan sources many parts of the production process from technologies in other countries.

For example ASML is the company that actually makes the EUV machines that etch the patterns onto the silicon, and that company is Dutch. In addition to that the lenses used in the EUV machines are custom made from Carl Zeiss, a German company.

Both of the aforementioned technologies are highly advanced and there is no way for TMSC to replicate each one.

Taiwan does not hold a monopoly on semiconductor technology. You should note that Korea (Samsung) also holds second place in this area and is not far behind.

China is actually pretty behind in the semiconductor race. Worse then intel as of right now.

Re: Ask HN: What books are recommended to learn the semiconductor industry?

#29

Post by qbasic_forever »

deltaonefour wrote: post #23
qbasic_forever wrote: post #16

Learn the Mandarin language. Taiwan is the epicenter of the cutting edge work in the industry. China is the powerhouse of production for it too. Both speak Mandarin natively and it would behoove you to understand it and their cultures.

In Taiwan you have to learn english to get a phd. Additionally, you should know Taiwan sources many parts of the production process from technologies in other countries. For example ASML is the company that actually makes the EUV machines that etch the patterns onto the silicon, and that company is Dutch. In addition to that the lenses used in the EUV machines are custom made from Carl Zeiss, a German company. Both o…

It doesn't change the fact that none of this information on how TSMC, etc. actually produce at scale is written anywhere in english (or even in a book). These are intensely guarded trade secrets and you're going to need to start working with and around these companies to even begin to comprehend how what they do is possible.

Re: Ask HN: What books are recommended to learn the semiconductor industry?

#30

Post by wbl »

readingnews wrote: post #9

Define "learn semiconductors industry"... I mean, you might say "I want to learn medicine" and people would take that many ways. I studied EECE (electrical and computer engineering) in my BS, then Physics, and my Ph.D. is in Computer Engineering, minor in CS, but very specifically on VLSI and chip-making in the graduate school. I am saying this just to note: When you say "semiconductors industry" my immediate thought…

The classic Carver Mead book deserves a mention.
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