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silicon Definition

sili·con (sil′i kän′, -kən)

noun

a nonmetallic chemical element occurring in several forms, found always in combination, and more abundant in nature than any other element except oxygen, with which it combines to form silica: used in the manufacture of transistors, solar cells, rectifiers, silicones, ceramics, etc.: symbol, Si; at. no., 14

Etymology: ModL: altered (1817, by T. Thomson (1773-1852), Scot chemist, modeled on boron, carbon, because of chemical resemblances) < silicium

silicon (Si) Telecom Definition

A brittle nonmetallic element (No. 14 in the Periodic Table of Elements) found in abundance in nature. When combined with oxygen, the only element that is more abundant on Earth, silicon forms silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), which is used in the manufacture of semiconductors used in transistors, rectifiers, solar cells, glass optical fiber (GOF), etc. Silicon is used in the manufacture of, but is not to be confused with, silicone.

silicon Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • hydrogenate: Why does light create fewer electrical defects in some forms of hydrogenated amorphous silicon ( a-Si:H ) than others?
  • dope: I doped silicon with several different group I and II impurities and measured their influence on the electrical and optical properties.
  • base: The concept removes the need for a custom made ear mold by utilizing a flexible silicon based smart seal within the ear canal.
  • contain: This suggests substituting alloys containing more silicon that the eutectic.

Adjective modifier

  • amorphous: Behind the Solo is an amorphous silicon solar panel.
  • crystalline: Amorphous silicon, a solid in which atoms are arranged in a non- periodic jumble, rivals crystalline silicon for photovoltaic applications.
  • strained: My work is a novel study into the effects of incorporating antimony into strained silicon.
  • porous: The indentation effect might even be at work in the way porous silicon ( with a myriad of nanoscopic filaments ) emits light.
  • pure: Pure silicon, another element in Group 4, has a similar structure.

Modifies a noun

  • carbide: Due to its high melting point, silicon carbide can only be processed in powder form.
  • wafer: The silicon wafer is then subjected to deep reactive ion etching to release the rotor.
  • nitride: Figure 4 shows an optical image of a silicon nitride block which has been damaged on the right side.
  • micromachining: The construction of components, on the micron scale, is by silicon micromachining, electro deposition and thin film metal and dielectric deposition.
  • dioxide: The structure of silicon dioxide Silicon doesn't double bond with oxygen.
  • substrate: These alpha particles were caused by the decay of thorium, a trace element in the silicon substrate.

Noun used with modifier

  • multicrystalline: Alternatively, ribbons of silicon can be pulled from a melt of silicon to produce thin sheets of multicrystalline silicon.
  • polycrystalline: Alternatively a block of polycrystalline silicon is sliced to produce the size of wafer required.
  • aluminum: The finest pore metal foams can be made using silica micro balloons 100 or 30 microns across in aluminum silicon alloys.
  • crystal: High-power module ( 80W ) using 125mm square multi - crystal silicon solar cells with 12.6 % module conversion efficiency.
  • %: The infill material was an aluminum silicon alloy, of around eutectic composition, ie approximately 12 % silicon.