Microelectronics

Microelectronics is a subfield of electronics. As its name suggests, microelectronics is concerned with the study and fabrication (or microfabrication) of very small electronic designs and components. Usually, but not always, this means a smaller scale of micrometers. These devices are typically made of semiconductor materials. Many components of normal electronic design are available in a microelectronic equivalent. These include transistors, capacitors, inductors, resistors, diodes, and (naturally) insulators and conductors that can be found in microelectronic devices. Unique wiring techniques such as wire bonding are also often used in microelectronics due to the unusually small size of components, wires, and pads. This technique requires specialized equipment and is expensive.