The Fascinating World of 1985 Intel 486 Processor

TLDRTake a journey into the intricate world of the 1985 Intel 486 processor, where a tiny piece of silicon houses over a million transistors and a global highway of aluminum interconnects. Discover how different instruments reveal the hidden layers and structures of this remarkable piece of technology.

Key insights

🔍The Intel 486 processor was introduced in 1985 and housed over a million transistors on a small piece of silicon.

🌈The aluminum interconnects in the processor create a vibrant array of colors that defract light into a rainbow.

🔬Using an atomic force microscope, we can see that the aluminum interconnects are about 2 microns tall and 4 microns wide.

💡The surface of the processor is not perfectly flat due to the stacking of multiple layers, creating roughness and waviness.

🔎By using different detectors, we can observe the underlying layers and the materials used, such as silicon dioxide and titanium.

Q&A

When was the Intel 486 processor introduced?

The Intel 486 processor was introduced in 1985.

How many transistors are housed in the Intel 486 processor?

The Intel 486 processor housed over a million transistors.

What creates the vibrant colors in the processor?

The aluminum interconnects in the processor create vibrant colors by defracting light.

What is the size of the aluminum interconnects?

The aluminum interconnects are about 2 microns tall and 4 microns wide.

Why is the surface of the processor not flat?

The stacking of multiple layers in the processor creates roughness and waviness on the surface.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The Intel 486 processor, introduced in 1985, contains over a million transistors on a small piece of silicon.

01:06The aluminum interconnects in the processor create vibrant colors by defracting light, resulting in a rainbow-like appearance along the periphery.

01:26Using an atomic force microscope, the height of the aluminum interconnects was measured to be about 2 microns tall and 4 microns wide.

02:08The surface of the processor is not perfectly flat due to the stacking of multiple layers, which causes roughness and waviness.

03:14Different detectors on a scanning electron microscope allow us to observe the different layers and materials used in the processor.

04:40The integrated chips are stacked in multiple layers, and scanning electron microscopy reveals the influence of the underlying layers on the surface.

05:10Vias, which are vertical plugs of metal, connect different layers together in the processor.

06:19The Intel 486 processor is a testament to scientific advancement and the engineering skills of thousands of hardworking individuals.