What is a cleanroom and why are they prevalent in semiconductor factories?
Chips must be manufactured in an environment that precisely controls the air entering it. Cleanrooms are classified by the size and amount of particles allowed to be present in a cubic foot of air. Because the individual parts of integrated circuits are so small, any foreign matter, such as dust, smoke or skin flakes, is likely to cause damage, ruining individual chips. A cleanroom controls air by isolating particles of foreign matter in the air, constantly filtering the air, moving the air in laminar flow (from ceiling to floor), and regulating temperature and humidity.