How To Choose The Right Silicon Wafer?

university wafer substrates

Choosing The Right Substrate

UniversityWafer, Inc. has the experience and has the mentions in research papers, over 20,000 as of 2025, to help you with your substrate needs. We sell as few as one wafer so you don't have to be burdened with paying too much.

Contact us today and let us know how we can be your partner in success.

Get Your Quote FAST! Or, Buy Online and Start Researching Today!





Below are jsut some ResearchGate publications that mention "UniversityWafer" along with the substrate specifications used in the research can provide valuable insights into the materials and methods employed by various studies. Below are such excerpts extracted from available sources:​

  1. Ultra-thin, Transferred Layers of Thermally Grown Silicon Dioxide as Biofluid Barriers for Flexible Electronic Implants

    Excerpt: "Fabrication of samples with layers of thermal SiO₂ as encapsulation began with wet oxidation (in O₂/H₂O) at high temperatures (typically at ~1150 °C) on the surfaces of standard silicon wafers (100–1000 nm thermal SiO₂, 500 µm Si substrate, 100 mm diameter, University Wafer)."​researchgate.net

    Source: ResearchGate

  2. State-of-the-Art Inkjet-Printed Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) Capacitors on Silicon Substrate

    Excerpt: "SILICON SUBSTRATE PROPERTIES FROM UNIVERSITY WAFER square area capacitance and 300% in quality factor over prior art in the literature, for inkjet printed..."​researchgate.net

    Source: ResearchGate

  3. Substrate Effects on Growth Dynamics of WTe₂ Thin Films

    Excerpt: "The 2-inch Al₂O₃(0001) (UniversityWafer) was mainly used as the growth substrate throughout the study due to its surface smoothness and hexagonal crystal structure that matched that of the in-plane InSe structure; nonetheless, the synthesis of 2D InSe on the arbitrary substrate was also possible."​researchgate.net

    Source: ResearchGate

  4. Wideband Dielectric Properties of Silicon and Glass Substrates for Terahertz Integrated Circuits and Microsystems

    Excerpt: "Of the six selected dielectric and semiconductor substrates, two are silicon wafers with resistivities ranging from 0.001 to 0.02 Ω-cm."​researchgate.net

    Source: ResearchGate

 

 

Choosing The Right Silicon Wafer

Selecting the appropriate silicon wafers is crucial for the success of research projects, as the wafer's specifications directly impact experimental outcomes. Here's a guide on how UniversityWafer, Inc. clients can choose the correct silicon wafers for their research, followed by a list of research applications categorized by wafer diameter, specifications, and typical volume requirements.​

Guidelines for Selecting Silicon Wafers:

  1. Define Research Objectives: Clearly outline the goals of your research to determine the necessary wafer properties.​

  2. Determine Wafer Diameter: Select a wafer size compatible with your equipment and the scale of your experiments.​

  3. Specify Crystallographic Orientation: Choose the appropriate crystal orientation (e.g., ⟨100⟩, ⟨111⟩) based on your application.​

  4. Select Dopant Type and Resistivity: Decide between p-type or n-type wafers and the desired resistivity level to suit your research needs.​researchgate.net+1scienceforums.net+1

  5. Consider Thickness and Surface Finish: Ensure the wafer's thickness and surface quality align with your experimental requirements.​

  6. Assess Quantity Needs: Determine the number of wafers required, considering both immediate and future experiments.​

Research Applications by Wafer Diameter, Specifications, and Volume (Ascending Order):

  1. 25.4 mm (1 inch) Wafers:

  2. 50.8 mm (2 inch) Wafers:

    • Applications: Prototype device fabrication, MEMS development.​arxiv.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1
    • Specifications: Doped or undoped, orientations like ⟨100⟩ or ⟨111⟩.​
    • Volume: Low to moderate; small batches.​
  3. 76.2 mm (3 inch) Wafers:

    • Applications: Optoelectronic devices, sensor research.​
    • Specifications: Varied doping levels, specific thicknesses.​
    • Volume: Moderate; pilot studies.​
  4. 100 mm (4 inch) Wafers:

    • Applications: Integrated circuit development, photovoltaic research.​
    • Specifications: Standard orientations, customized resistivity.​researchgate.net
    • Volume: Moderate; experimental batches.​wevolver.com
  5. 150 mm (6 inch) Wafers:

  6. 200 mm (8 inch) Wafers:

    • Applications: Microprocessor and memory chip research.​
    • Specifications: Low defect densities, specific orientations.​en.wikipedia.org
    • Volume: High; extensive testing phases.​
  7. 300 mm (12 inch) Wafers:

    • Applications: High-volume semiconductor device research.​researchgate.net
    • Specifications: Uniform doping, stringent flatness requirements.​
    • Volume: Very high; large-scale studies.​
1" Wafer (25.4 mm)
2" Wafer (50.8 mm)
3" Wafer (76.2 mm)
4" Wafer (100 mm)
6" Wafer (150 mm)
8" Wafer (200 mm)
12" Wafer (300 mm)

How UniversityWafer, Inc. Can Assist:

Q1: Can I purchase a small quantity of wafers for a preliminary study?

A1: Yes, UniversityWafer, Inc. offers the flexibility to purchase as few as one wafer, allowing researchers to conduct preliminary studies without committing to large quantities. ​universitywafer.com


Q2: Do you provide wafers with specific doping types and resistivity levels?

A2: Absolutely. We offer both p-type and n-type silicon wafers with a range of resistivity options to meet your research specifications. ​scienceforums.net


Q3: Can I obtain wafers with custom thicknesses and surface finishes?

A3: Yes, we provide wafers in various thicknesses and surface finishes, including single-side polished (SSP) and double-side polished (DSP), tailored to your experimental needs. ​


Q4: How do I choose the correct wafer diameter for my equipment?

A4: It's essential to match the wafer diameter with your fabrication equipment's specifications. Our team can assist you in selecting the appropriate size to ensure compatibility.​


Q5: What is the typical lead time for wafer orders?

A5: Lead times vary based on wafer specifications and order volume. We strive to process and ship orders promptly and can provide estimated delivery times upon order placement.​universitywafer.com


Q6: Do you offer technical support for selecting the right wafers?

A6: Yes, our knowledgeable staff is available to provide technical guidance and help you choose wafers that align with your research objectives.​


Q7: Are there discounts for bulk purchases?

A7: We offer competitive pricing and may provide discounts for bulk orders. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements and receive a tailored quote.​


Q8: Can I request wafers with specific crystallographic orientations?

A8: Certainly. We supply wafers with various crystallographic orientations, such as ⟨100⟩ and ⟨111⟩, to suit different research applications.​


Q9: Do you provide wafers made from alternative semiconductor materials?

A9: Yes, we offer wafers made from materials like silicon-on-insulator (SOI), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and others, depending on your research needs.​


Q10: How can I place an order or request a quote?

Q10: Fill out the form online, email or visit our store.


Q11: Can you provide silicon wafers with thermal oxide layers?

A11: Yes. We offer wafers with precise oxide thicknesses tailored to your research needs, ideal for dielectric studies, insulation applications, or enhancing wafer wettability.


Q12: Do you supply wafers suitable for MEMS fabrication?

A12: Absolutely. Our wafers include options such as DSP silicon, SOI, and specifically engineered thicknesses and resistivity suitable for MEMS device fabrication and development.


Q13: How can I ensure the wafers meet my flatness and bow specifications?

A13: UniversityWafer, Inc. provides wafers characterized for flatness and minimal bowing, critical for photolithography and thin-film deposition processes. We offer measurement reports upon request.


Q14: Do you offer wafers for photovoltaic (solar cell) research?

A14: Yes, we provide wafers specifically designed for photovoltaic research, available in various doping concentrations, orientations, and sizes to optimize solar cell performance.


Q15: What wafer types are recommended for microelectronics device research?

A15: For microelectronics, we recommend 100 mm, 150 mm, or larger wafers with well-controlled resistivity and defect-free surfaces, commonly in orientations like ⟨100⟩, suitable for semiconductor device manufacturing and IC research.


Q16: Can UniversityWafer, Inc. support specific etching or coating requirements?

A16: Yes, we work closely with specialized suppliers and can provide custom wafers with specific etching patterns, coatings, or treatments to streamline your research process.


Q17: What types of porous silicon wafers do you offer?

A17: We offer porous silicon wafers with controllable pore size, spacing, and thickness, ideal for biosensors, RF devices, drug delivery systems, and biomedical research.


Q18: Are there wafer solutions for high-temperature applications?

A18: Absolutely. We supply sapphire substrates and silicon wafers with special dopants and treatments designed to withstand elevated temperatures, ideal for research requiring thermal robustness.


Q19: Can you help select wafers suitable for optical microscopy?

A19: Yes, wafers with thick oxide layers or double-side polished surfaces provide excellent optical contrast and clarity, facilitating precise measurements under optical microscopy.


Q20: Do you offer wafers specifically for RF applications?

A20: We provide high-resistivity silicon wafers, porous silicon substrates, and SOI wafers optimized for RF research and device development.

Ultra-Thin Silicon Wafer Application

1" Wafer (25.4 mm)
2" Wafer (50.8 mm)
3" Wafer (76.2 mm)
4" Wafer (100 mm)
6" Wafer (150 mm)
8" Wafer (200 mm)
12" Wafer (300 mm)

Ultra-Thin Silicon Wafer Application

Ultra-Thin Rectangular Silicon Wafer Used in Advanced Microelectronics and Photovoltaic Applications 156mm x 156mm 50-200µm Specifications • Thickness: 50-200 µm • Dimensions: 156mm x 156mm • TTV (Total Thickness Variation): < 1 µm • Warpage: < 200 µm • Surface: Mirror polished • Material: Monocrystalline Si Common Applications • Photovoltaic Solar Cells • Power Electronics • MEMS Devices • Flexible Electronics * Standard wafer thickness: 525-775 µm Ultra-thin wafers are ~10-30% of standard thickness Note: Requires special handling due to fragility and flexibility