Relentless assaults on the frontiers of CMOS technology over several decades have produced a marvel of a technology. The world we live in has been changed by complex integrated circuits now containing a billion transistors with line widths of less than 100 nm, fabricated in plants costing several billion dollars. This microelectronics revolution was made possible only through the dedication and ingenuity of many specialized experts with detailed knowledge of their crafts. Yet IC designers, device integrators, and process engineers have always recognized the benefits of a broad understanding of different aspects of IC technology and have combated the compartmentalization of knowledge through continuing learning
