THE VIDEO SHELF · semiconductor manufacturing
Indistinguishable From Magic: Manufacturing Modern Computer Chips
A HOPE09 talk on how modern computer chips are manufactured, from 22nm transistors to ultra-clean fabs and the tricks used to pattern tiny features with light. It frames chipmaking as hacking electrical engineering and physics.
Why HN readers recommended it
HN repeatedly calls it the best in-depth introduction to IC manufacturing, a sense-of-awe talk by an independent engineer, while wishing for an updated version.
This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.
Video & recommendation details
- Creator / channel
- Andor Gafotas
- Topic
- semiconductor manufacturing
- Format
- talk
- Level
- general
- HN recommenders in dataset
- 19
- HN mentions in dataset
- 20
- Recommendation years in dataset
- 2016–2024
These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.
From the original HN conversations
Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.
There's a brilliant talk, given in 2009 at HOPE09, NYC titled "Indistinguishable From Magic: Manufacturing Modern Computer Chips". At roughly 36 minutes, there's a cross-section of a (in 2009) modern chip. The topmost layer is the shiny rainbowy topmost metal-layer you see on typical (from …
cnvogel on Hacker News · 2016-09
In Xerox Alto Restoration Part 5 [video][VIDEO] This talk on YouTube is the most in depth explanation of IC manufacuring I have seen. I highly recommend it to anyone, no matter their background. You really gain an appreciation of how insanely complex modern computers are. It’s from 2012 but he talks …
ahakki on Hacker News · 2018-06
In Ask HN: How modern chips are made?I highly recommend watching this, it's one of the best videos available on how chips are actually built and gives a great overview: "Indistinguishable From Magic: Manufacturing Modern Computer Chips" - [VIDEO]
manigandham on Hacker News · 2018-08
In GlobalFoundries Stops All 7nm Development
Summaries, classifications and recommendation records are from the HackerTube source dataset. Read about this library and its limitations.
