Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

The other side is plain gray silicon; I've looked at the back side of dies by mistake many times. (Intel is starting to do power through the back side, which would make the back more interesting.)


Note that it's entirely transparent to some wavelengths of light, which is why a lot of die shots are taken from the backside, as it allows doing them non-destructively. You just cannot use visible light.


Unfortunately it's not that easy. I was working with John McMaster to get backside die shots of the 386 using infrared but it didn't work out.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: