Integrated Circuits

Definition

Integrated circuits are tiny electronic components made up of interconnected transistors on a single semiconductor material or chip. They enable the miniaturization and integration of complex electronic circuits onto small silicon chips.

Related terms

Silicon Wafer: A silicon wafer is a thin slice or disc made from pure crystalline silicon used as the base material for manufacturing integrated circuits. It undergoes several fabrication processes to create electronic components on its surface.

Microprocessor: A microprocessor is an example of an integrated circuit that functions as the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. It performs arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output operations necessary for executing computer programs.

Moore's Law: Moore's Law is an observation made by Gordon Moore in 1965, stating that the number of transistors on integrated circuits doubles approximately every two years. It reflects the trend of increasing computing power and decreasing cost over time.