The NIST Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory and the Development of its Semiconductor Program -- A Presentation to the Standards Alumni Association

Published

February 1, 1999

Author(s)

Judson C. French

Abstract

The Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory (EEEL) provides measurement capability of high economic impact focused primarily on the needs of the U.S. electronics and electrical equipment industries. This paper presents examples of the Laboratory's technical contributions and impact. The focus of this presentation is EEEL's development of its semiconductor program. In 1955, NIST devoted $30K to fund its own transistor program. Its focus was easily resolved as nearly every technical agency in the Washington area needed help to characterize their devices and materials. Given NIST's mission, it was very appropriate to establish much needed measurement methods in this area. EEEL began with two specific projects based on industry's assessment of its most critical needs--these projects were important to both manufacturing processes and to product specifications. When the first major phase of the work was completed, a study revealed that industry estimated the economic benefits of the work at over $30 million (over 100 times the cost of the work) in marketplace transactions, alone, and perhaps as much as ten times this amount in manufacturing economies. At one point, when the program was in peril, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) appointed a high level group drawn from industry to review NIST's work and report on its value to industry.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6507

Report Number

6507

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

cost/benefit ratio, integrated circuits, measurement-based services, second breakdown, semiconductors, silicon resistivity standard reference c, metrology e material, technological advancement, transistors

Citation

French, J. (1999), The NIST Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory and the Development of its Semiconductor Program -- A Presentation to the Standards Alumni Association, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed July 27, 2024)