Particle Counting

Computer Chips Depend on Accurate Particle Counting

Particle counting is necessary to make cellphones or laptops function properly. These, and many more devices, run on semiconductors which are manufactured by semiconductor companies in cleanrooms with strict standards for air quality.

A cleanroom is a work area with an extremely low level of environmental pollutants. The level of contamination in a cleanroom must be controlled to conform with a predetermined number of particles per cubic meter, with no particle exceeding a specified size. It is the task of particle counting that ensures compliance with these standards. A cleanroom can be as large as an entire factory where the air from the environment is processed to filter out contaminants then recirculated through high efficiency particulate or ultra-low particulate air filters.

Sophisticated Optical Particle Counters

Particle counting is performed by sophisticated instruments known as optical particle counters. The most commonly used type of equipment for particle counting is a remote optical particle counter system. Small dedicated optical particle counters are installed in specified areas throughout the plant. These units are connected to a central control location which monitors the information gathered by the terminals, analyzes the particle counting information, issues alerts whenever there are deviations from standards, and directs the necessary remedial action.

A semiconductor plant will also make use of other types of particle counting equipment like handheld or portable optical particle counters. These are smaller, mobile units that can be used to periodically check parts of the plant where there are no fixed particle counting terminals.

Ensure that your environment has the correct particle count by viewing our extensive online list of particle counting tools today.

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