What does ".18 micron process" mean?

[Deelow]

I know that a .18 micron chip is smaller than a .25 micron chip, but what part of the processor is .18 microns? Are the transistors .18 microns wide, the length of the "wires" between the transistors .18 microns? My guess is that they build transistors that can switch faster, so they can reduce the wire length between them from .25 to .18 microns, for example. Am I on the right track here?

 

[HD2GO]

That depends ... most companies use the pitch of their first layer of metal to define whether their process is .25 or .18um.

 

[Deelow]

Ok, first of all, what is pitch? And second, what does .18micron mean when Intel says their chips are using this process?

Thanks.

 

[Mark5000]

Intel has a link regarding their .13 micron process. Although it doesn't really define exactly what type of device determines the .13 micron measurement, it does give specs on gate widths and oxide thicknesses.

 

[Sunny129]

I read about the micron process not too long ago, but cant remember where i read about it. i want to say it was in an article right here at AnandTech, but i cant be sure. anyways, i believe .18 microns has to do with the process in which a chip is created. yes the chips keep getting smaller and smaller, but .25 or .18 or .13um is actually the width, or amplitude of the light wave (or laser) used to cut and design the surface of the chip, where microns, or um is short for micrometer, or one one millionth of a meter. how that make a whole world of difference in the way a CPU functions is completely beyond me and over my head. but i guess smaller is better, whether its the size of the chip or the amplitude of the laser used to make it.

 

[VladTrishkin]

0.18 micron = 180nm, etched with a shortlengh light wave.

 

[Deelow]

Thanks for all your help guys. I'm gonna go with that a .18um process is basically the amplitude of the light wave used to etch the processor.

Thanks again!