Russia has launched its own production of ultrapure phosphorus compounds for microelectronics. These are materials without which it is difficult to produce semiconductor components: chips, transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits. The launch of production was announced by Rosatom.
This refers to import-substituting production of ultrapure red phosphorus and phosphorus oxychloride. These substances are critical for Russian microelectronic enterprises.
Previously, Russia imported more than 80% of the materials needed for chip production. This list included red phosphorus and phosphorus oxychloride.
Ivan Mazilin, Director of Scientific State Programs at Rosatom Nauka, noted that modern requirements for the content of the main substance in red phosphorus for ion implantation are 99.9999%. According to him, the production of red phosphorus of such purity is being organized in Russia for the first time.
Ultrapure phosphorus is used in microelectronics during the processing of silicon wafers, from which chips are then made. Very small amounts of phosphorus are introduced into silicon – this process is needed so that individual areas of the future microcircuit begin to conduct electric current better. This way, the necessary working zones for transistors, diodes, and other elements are formed on the wafer.
The project was implemented by NII NPO "LUCH" together with "Giredmet". The work is being carried out within the framework of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade's program "Development of Electronic Engineering until 2030".