PL-2303HX : Weekend die-shot

PL-2303HX is a USB-to-Serial bridge controller, widely used to connect various electronic devices to PC.
Note how wide traces are sectioned so that current does not 'clump up' in the corners.

Die size 5144x3357 µm.

1886VE10 : Weekend die-shot

1886ВЕ10 is a rad-hard 8-bit microcontroller (50Mhz), designed by Milandr and manufactured at Mikron (Zelenograd, Russia).
Technology : bulk Si, 180nm with aluminum metalization. Radiation hardening is achieved by using edgeless-transistors and 8T SRAM cells.

Die size 5000x3750 µm.



After metalization etch:


Not much to see using optical microscope:




Bright cylinders are tungsten via's left after etching metalization and ILD:

KR580VM80A : Weekend die-shot

KR580VM80A - is an Intel 8080-compatible Soviet processor, which was in manufacturing until mid 90's.
Compared to KR580IK80A die size is 20% smaller, IO section is reworked.

Die size 4634x4164 µm, 5µm technology node.

STM32F103VGT6 : Weekend die-shot

STM32F103VGT6 is one of the largest STMicroelectronics's Cortex-M3 microcontrollers.
1Mb of flash and 96kb of SRAM consumes most of it's enormous 5339x5188 µm die.



180nm SRAM scratches the limits of optical microscopy:

Z80A : Weekend die-shot

Zilog Z80 - legendary successor of 8080 (although, this particular chip is one of it's numerous clones - most likely Z80A made by GDR company MME).
Die size 4950x4720 µm, 5µm manufacturing technology.

IRGB20B60PD1PBF : Weekend die-shot

IRGB20B60PD1PBF - 600V/40A IGBT with internal ultra fast soft-recovery diode.

Diode die : size 1.6x1.6mm:


IGBT die : size 4.2x3.85mm, diameter of "dots" - 7.5µm.

How to «open» microchip and what's inside?

Microchips - are indeed can be considered a black box - as long as it's working you normally don't look inside.
But what if you want to?

Today we'll show how to "open" chips and what's inside.

WARNING! All operations with concentrated (and especially hot) acids are extremely dangerous. Only trained persons should work with them using required protective equipment (acid-prof gloves, protection glasses, protective suit, fume hood and more). Remember that you only have 2 eyes!
This article is for educational purposes only, do not try to repeat!.

Opening microchips

Take some microchips of interest and add concentrated sulfuric acid. Container should be closed, but not airtight, so that fumes can escape (that is extremely important). Heat it to boiling temperature (300 °C). White substance at the bottom is baking soda - it's here to neutralize accidental spills and part of fumes.


Read more →