Microelectronics is a subfield of electronics.

As the name suggests, microelectr

onics relates to the study and manufacture (or microfabrication) of very small e
lectronic designs and components. Usually, but not always, this means micrometre
-scale or smaller. These devices are typically made from semiconductor materials
. Many components of normal electronic design are available in a microelectronic
equivalent. These include transistors, capacitors, inductors, resistors, diodes
and (naturally) insulators and conductors can all be found in microelectronic d
evices. Unique wiring techniques such as wire bonding are also often used in mic
roelectronics because of the unusually small size of the components, leads and p
ads. This technique requires specialized equipment and is expensive.
Digital integrated circuits (ICs) consist mostly of transistors. Analog circuits
commonly contain resistors and capacitors as well. Inductors are used in some h
igh frequency analog circuits, but tend to occupy large chip area if used at low
frequencies; gyrators can replace them in many applications.
As techniques improve, the scale of microelectronic components continues to decr
ease. At smaller scales, the relative impact of intrinsic circuit properties suc
h as interconnections may become more significant. These are called parasitic ef
fects, and the goal of the microelectronics design engineer is to find ways to c
ompensate for or to minimize these effects, while always delivering smaller, fas
ter, and cheaper devices.
See also[edit]
Analog circuit
Digital circuit
Electrical engineering
Kelvin probe force microscope
Macroelectronics
Microscale chemistry
Micromasonry
Nanoelectronics
References[edit]
Veendrick, H.J.M. (2011). Bits on Chips. p. 253. ISBN 978-1-61627-947-9. https:/
/openlibrary.org/works/OL15759799W/Bits_on_Chips/
[hide] v t e
Microtechnology
MEMS MST Micromachinery
Basic structures
Interdigital transducer Cantilever Microchannel
Applications
Sensors
Microbolometer
Actuators
Comb drive Scratch Drive Actuator Thermal actuator
Switches
Digital micromirror device Optical switch
Other
IBM Millipede RF-MEMS MOEMS Microphotonics Bio-MEMS Microfluidics Micropower
Processes
General
Surface micromachining Bulk micromachining HAR micromachining Deposition Lithogr
aphy Etching Wire bonding
Specific
LOCOS STI LIGA HexSil SIMPLE SCREAM Lift-off Photolithography SOI Smart Cut