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How transistors drive the devices that shape our society

From smartphones and computers to medical equipment and transportation systems, transistors power the devices that have become indispensable to our society. Comet, like any other company or individual, relies on transistors as end-users, utilizing them in laptops and other devices. Additionally, we employ transistors for system control in X-ray technology, RF generators and matchboxes for plasma control, which are essential components in the semiconductor industry.

During the Cold War era, Comet's vacuum capacitor business focused primarily on radio broadcast applications. However, after this period, the demand for broadcasting technologies shrank, but skyrocketed for matching networks for plasma processes. As transistors continued to shrink, conventional manufacturing methods were no longer sufficient. Plasma processes emerged as a critical technology for precision and cleanliness. This marked a turning point for Comet, as our expertise in vacuum capacitors positioned the company as leader in the industry, ensuring the successful production of advanced chips and semiconductors*.

«Without the transistor, many things would not be possible in the form we know today. One of our goals is to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. It’s uncertain what is upcoming in this respect, but I am following it with great interest. What is clear is that advances will only be possible thanks to what is being researched and developed today.»

Sandro Wiedmer, Team Leader Hardware Development at Comet X-ray

Smaller transistors > smaller chips > new technologies

Within Comet, the X-ray divisions, Comet Yxlon and Comet X-ray, are also increasingly vital in the semiconductor market. As the scale for transistors and chips production becomes ever smaller and they are mounted by stacking, optical inspection finds its limits.  This is where Comet's X-ray technologies have become indispensable for semiconductor's quality assurance.

With the advent of 3D stacking in advanced packaging, CT scanning is necessary to inspect the solder joints of connections between layers. By leveraging X-ray technology, Comet ensures the early detection of faults, supporting the production of flawless and reliable semiconductor devices.

Did you know? In January 1948, the invention of the transistor (junction transistor) was a collaborative effort by three pioneering scientists: John Bardeen, Walter H. Brattain, and William Shockley. These remarkable individuals not only contributed to the development of the transistor but also shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956 for their groundbreaking work. Their collective efforts revolutionized the world of electronics and laid the foundation for the technological advancements that followed.