Silicon (Si) is a chemical element with atomic number 14 and is one of the most important materials in modern science and engineering. It is a hard, brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic luster and belongs to Group 14 of the periodic table, alongside carbon and germanium. Due to its strong affinity for oxygen, pure silicon was first isolated in 1823 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius.
Silicon is the eighth most abundant element in the universe by mass and is widely distributed on Earth in the form of silicon dioxide (silica) and silicates. Beyond its geological importance, silicon is also essential for life and plays a foundational role in electronics, optoelectronics, infrared optics, and precision engineering.
In optics and photonics, optical-grade silicon is widely used for infrared (IR) windows, substrates, and optical components, particularly in the near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MWIR) regions. In electronics, silicon remains the dominant semiconductor material, forming the backbone of integrated circuits (ICs), MEMS devices, and silicon photonics platforms.
Key Advantages of Optical Silicon
- Excellent Infrared Transmission: Suitable for NIR and MWIR applications
- Stable Semiconductor Properties: Ideal for controlled electrical behavior through doping
- High Mechanical Strength: Robust material for precision machining and processing
- Thermal Stability: Performs reliably under temperature variation
- Mature Manufacturing Ecosystem: High purity, repeatability, and scalability
Silicon Product Forms & Specifications
Silicon Wafers
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Diameter (Single Crystal) | 3 mm – 360 mm |
| Diameter (Polycrystalline) | 3 mm – 380 mm |
| Diameter Tolerance | ≤ 0.025 mm |
| Minimum Thickness | 0.3 mm |
| Maximum Thickness | 75 mm |
| Thickness Tolerance | ≤ 0.025 mm |
Silicon Square Pieces
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Max Diagonal Size | 10 mm – 330 mm |
| Thickness | Customized |
| Thickness Tolerance | ≤ 0.02 mm |
Silicon Milling Pieces
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Diameter (Monocrystalline) | 7 mm – 330 mm |
| Diameter (Polycrystalline) | 7 mm – 350 mm |
| Diameter Tolerance | ≤ 0.03 mm |
| Curvature Radius | ΔSag < 0.005 |
| Center Thickness Tolerance | ≤ 0.025 mm |
| Edge Thickness | ≤ 0.03 mm |
Applications of Silicon (Si)
- Semiconductor Devices: Used in diodes, transistors, and power devices through controlled doping to precisely manage electrical conductivity.
- Integrated Circuits (ICs): Silicon wafers serve as the substrate for microchips containing millions to billions of electronic components for computers, smartphones, and industrial electronics.
- Infrared Optics: Optical-grade silicon is used for infrared windows, lenses, and substrates in IR imaging, sensors, and spectroscopy systems.
- Solar Cells: Widely applied in photovoltaic cells due to high efficiency, long-term stability, and cost-effective manufacturing.
- MEMS Devices: Forms the foundation of microelectromechanical systems used in automotive sensors, aerospace systems, medical devices, and consumer electronics.
- Optoelectronics & Silicon Photonics: Used as a platform for photodetectors, modulators, and integrated photonic circuits for data communication and sensing.
Shapeoptics Optical Silicon Capabilities
Shape Optics Technologies works with trusted manufacturing partners in Singapore to supply optical-quality silicon crystals and precision-machined silicon components, produced using state-of-the-art equipment and advanced processing techniques.
With over 20 years of optical manufacturing experience, Shapeoptics delivers high-reliability silicon materials for demanding optical and electronic applications.