Newsletter_03-2024_EN

#INNOHubs: Fascinating Clean Room
at Fraunhofer IISB
Kevin Ehrensberger completed his vocational training as microtechnologist at Fraunhofer IISB in September 2021. The
former nanotechnology student has one thing in common with his colleagues Nadine Riek and Stefanie Schickedanz:
„I also wanted to work with my hands, something in relation to reality.“ The small but significant word „also“ is elementary
in this sentence. To practice their profession, microtechnologists dive deep into the micro- and nanostructures of computer
chips and semiconductor components, both theoretically and practically. Stephanie Natzer, instructress at Fraunhofer IISB,
explains why this varied profession has such a bright future: “Microtechnologists know how to create these tiny marvels and
experience this technological progress in real time, so to say.“
As microelectronic technician you belong to an exclusive club
From cell phones, battery charging systems and cars to airplanes and
satellites - digitization and the Internet of Things are spurring the
development of increasingly powerful devices and components. The
need for efficiently switching power components to convert electrical
energy is growing as well. This is one of the main emphases
of the Fraunhofer IISB, Institute for Integrated Systems and Device
Technology based in Erlangen. Trough research and development on
power electronics, semiconductor technology and materials, it supports
important industries such as energy technology, photovoltaics
or e-mobility.
There are six technical departments at Fraunhofer IISB. Nadine
is one of seven current microelectronic technician apprentices and
learns how to assemble electronic components along with mounting
circuit boards in the packaging technology laboratory. The online
tender for this apprenticeship had spontaneously piqued her interest.
„This profession is still young. It‘s not something you specifically
look for. We are quite an exclusive club“ Nadine says. Only 17 other
apprentices from all over Bavaria sit together with her in the vocational
school class.
With her passion for chemistry, she already fulfilled a large part of
the suitability profile. Nevertheless, you should also be comfortable
with math, physics and English. Before starting her apprenticeship,
Nadine didn‘t really know what to expect. „I think it‘s great that we
go through all the departments here. In the workshop, we learn how
to fabricate workpieces according to technical drawings, and in the
clean room we learn everything about the manufacturing processes
for integrated circuits, such as lithography, ion implantation, dry and
wet etching, thermal oxidation or metallization.“
Not only clean, but pure!
The Semiconductor Devices department at Fraunhofer IISB has
various focal points, including the development of sensor devices
and power devices based on silicon and silicon carbide. The latter
are switching components used to control electrical machines in e-
vehicles, for example. In Fraunhofer IISB‘s high-tech clean rooms,
the entire process spectrum for manufacturing components can be
mapped. Teams from various scientific and engineering disciplines
develop holistic solutions here for customers from industry, starting
with design, feasibility studies and prototyping up to the manufacturing
process. „As microelectronic technician, I take care of the
implementation and control of the manufacturing processes“ Kevin
explains.
He works in the field of photolithography and spends most of his
working time in the institute‘s clean rooms on the Erlangen hightech
campus of the FAU. Fraunhofer IISB maintains the largest clean
room together with the neighboring Chair of Electronic Devices.
Even the tiniest dust particles can lead to defective components,
which is why the air in the clean room is permanently filtered and
recirculated. „We wear coveralls, headgear, gloves and face masks so
that we don‘t introduce particles under any circumstances“Kevin
continues. Even the use of lights is strictly regulated. Photolithography
is a key process step in the manufacture of integrated circuits.
Exposure processes are used to create patterned photoresist layers
on a silicon wafer. To prevent the light-sensitive photoresist from developing
in an uncontrolled manner, only yellow light without blue
light components is allowed to illuminate the workplace.“I found the
clean room absolutely crazy when I was looking for an apprenticeship,
so I really wanted to learn more about it“ Nadine interjects.
The true Silicon Valley lies in the
Nuremberg Metropolitan Region
The Nuremberg metropolitan region is convinced that the Franconian
Switzerland is home to the true Silicon Valley. The Siemens semiconductor
research laboratory was housed in Pretzfeld Castle in
1946 and served as the setting for a groundbreaking invention that
made it possible to manufacture semiconductors and thus ushered
in the era of microelectronics. In the mid-1950s, the production of
monocrystalline hyper pure silicon succeeded here. Emerging from
this history, a technological-scientific network of companies and
research institutions has formed in the Nuremberg Metropolitan
Region around integrated circuits, power electronics, semiconductors
and nanotechnology. Resultingly, today‘s microtechnologists at
Fraunhofer IISB are experiencing further development of processes
and materials for ever smaller and more powerful components live.
„Our profession is very popular for young women,“ Stefanie
Schickedanz tells and continues: „We are all a bit nerdy in a positive
sense. We want to fundamentally understand the technologies we
work with. Solving a problem for the sake of the problem is a motivation
that drives many people in technology and science.“- Nadine
adds,“Even as apprentices, we are often given team tasks or being
asked how we would solve something. You are taken serious right
from the start.“
Working with a machine park that is unique all over Europe
Stefanie completed her apprenticeship in the field of industry. Today,
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