What is a Stepper?

A stepper is a type of photolithography equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing. It plays a crucial role in the photolithography process, where it is used to transfer fine circuit patterns onto a wafer (substrate) using light exposure. Steppers utilize high-resolution optical systems to precisely project patterns onto the wafer, enabling the creation of extremely small and detailed circuits.

The stepper works by using a "step-and-scan" method, where it exposes one section of the wafer at a time, step by step, rather than exposing the entire wafer at once. This allows for high-precision exposure of complex circuit patterns. Steppers are essential tools in the production of integrated circuits (ICs), microprocessors, and other semiconductor devices, particularly in the fabrication of high-density circuit patterns.

Due to their precision and efficiency, steppers are critical devices that support cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing technologies.

Application of Stepper

Here are some specific examples of stepper applications:
１．Integrated Circuit (IC) Manufacturing: Steppers are used in the production of integrated circuits (ICs) to transfer fine circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. This allows for the precise placement of tiny transistors and circuits, enabling the creation of high-performance semiconductor devices.
２．Microprocessor Manufacturing: When manufacturing high-performance microprocessors used in computers and smartphones, steppers are used to transfer tiny circuit patterns onto the wafer. This technology enables the miniaturization and speed enhancement of processors.
３．Optical Communication Device Manufacturing: Steppers are also used in the production of semiconductor devices for optical communications, such as lasers and photodiodes. Since these devices require high-precision circuit patterns, steppers play a crucial role in ensuring accuracy.

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