3 ms·

Lithography is one thing, making an IC also requires all of the carcinogentic diffusion chemicals and more. Maybe wait until your kids move out to Uni before e

• adrian_b 3y ago
  I have worked in a semiconductor plant, and I do not remember any carcinogenic diffusion-related chemicals. Like in any chemical plant, there were various organic solvents that could be carcinogenic, but they were not directly related to diffusion processes. On the other hand, there were many chemical substances used for diffusion that were extremely toxic, like various arsenic compounds. The greatest hazard in improvised IC fabrication would be from the hydrofluoric acid (as a mixture with ammonia) that is needed to etch the silicon dioxide, after photolithography and before diffusion.
  • eternityforest 3y ago
    They may be talking about the arsenic: The EPA classifies inorganic arsenic as a “human carcinogen,” based on evidence in human studies of links to lung, bladder, kidney, skin, and liver cancers.