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Pressure sensors, including pressure transducers and pressure transmitters, are a critical aspect of semiconductor manufacturing. These instruments measure pressure to control the flow and distribution of ultrahigh purity (UHP) gases and liquids safely and effectively throughout the production process. In my last article about transducers for semiconductor UHP gas applications, I explained how Ashcroft and our parent company Nagano Keiki Co. LTD, have been providing pressure and temperature instrumentation to semiconductor manufacturing customers globally for decades. This piece will provide more insight into the liquid process of semiconductor manufacturing and review the pressure monitoring features to look for in instruments that are designed to perform well in these complex processes. When you are done reading, I hope you will have a better understanding of the use of UHP fluids in semiconductor applications and the solutions employed to accurately measure pressure. You will also find related articles and guides that you can use as references for this evolving topic.

This article was originally published on August 9, 2021, and was updated on June 5, 2023. The semiconductor industry affects nearly every aspect of our lives today. Your cell phone, computer, television, car and any other electronic device you use each day all depend on semiconductor applications to exist. But these demanding applications require specialized high-purity equipment and instruments to run safely, efficiently and properly. Pressure transducers (and pressure transmitters but for simplification in this article I will refer to them as "pressure transducers") are crucial to the semiconductor process, but only if they are manufactured a certain way to handle hazardous environments. How do you know what makes the best semiconductor pressure transducer?

In semiconductor applications, your pressure instrumentation needs to stand up to the conditions as well as meet high-purity standards and regulations. Ashcroft's line of fluoropolymer pressure transducers provides reliable pressure measurements for your semiconductor applications. How do you know which of these transducers is the right one for your application? This blog will compare Ashcroft’s ZL91, ZL92 and ZL95 pressure transducers and discuss their features and benefits to help you find the best solution for your needs.

If you work in the semiconductor industry, you know that there are applications that require specialized equipment to handle corrosive liquids or gases, such as cleaning and wet etching. These processes use corrosive chemicals and ultra-high purity water. Chip manufacturers need to control these liquids accurately. The pressure transducer used must be anti-corrosive, low metal ion elusion and, of course, accurate. When your semiconductor process requires pressure measurement, you need the best instruments for the job.