It’s time to pack your bags and head out on an adventure of a lifetime! In January 2023, the students of the PG programs of EC Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University took a trip to the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh and the hills of Shimla. This is a glimpse of all the learning and fun we had.
The first day of our journey began at Sabarmati Station, where everyone met up at 9 AM to catch the train. The train was on time and soon enough, we were on board, finding our couches and settling in for the long journey ahead. We enjoyed the scenery as the train moved through the greenery of Gujarat. Most of the day was spent chatting with friends, playing cards, and enjoying games like UNO, and with everyone bringing their own snacks, food was never an issue.
The second day, started with our arrival in Chandigarh at 2:30 PM, and we got into our traveler tempo van and headed to our hotel. After some rest and freshening up, we headed out to a nearby restaurant for a delicious Punjabi thali. Afterward, we spent the evening playing games and chit-chatting before having dinner at the hotel.
The third day, was the day of our long-awaited visit to SCL in Chandigarh. After breakfast at 9 AM, we left the hotel and reached the organization by noon. We were introduced to the organization by one of its faculties, which was followed by a lite snack. We were then given a glimpse of some of the products that the organization had worked on over the years. Later, we visited the fabrication facility which was in a different building. We were divided into groups of six and taken on a tour through the facility, where we observed the clean rooms in which semiconductor wafers were manufactured. The 6-inch wafers were used for MEMS-based products, and the fabrication flow was completely automatic. The 8-inch wafers were partially fabricated manually. We learned about grey rooms, where the machinery involved in maintaining the clean rooms was stored, and sub-fabs, built under the clean rooms, which were responsible for pumping the required chemicals. We were then explained how the machinery would carry out the lithography, oxidation, masking, etc. processes. We then visited the testing and packaging facility, where we learned about the different ways the ICs are packaged, using ceramic or plastic. We also observed various methods used to test a fabricated IC, to check if its functionality is as per the requirement. After the tour, we still had some free time for the day, so we decided to visit the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. The Rock garden showcased some beautiful sculptures and man-made caves. While the lake, though really cold & chilly, was a nice way to relax at the end of the day.
The fourth day began with even more excitement, as now it was time to visit Shimla, and after breakfast, we set out on the 3-hour journey through the beautiful hills of Himachal Pradesh. We even made a stop at one of the hills, to take in all the beautiful ranges that this state had to welcome us with. Once we arrived, we visited “The Ridge”, a popular spot in Shimla to visit in the evening. Some enjoyed the view of the sunset, while others bought something for their families from the shops, with some buying traditional scarves, warm hats, and shawls. The place looked even more beautiful once it got dark, the street lights not only lit up the spot but also the entirety of Shimla, as we saw it from the hilltop. But, all good things must come to an end, and even though most of us would have loved to stay even longer, we headed back to our hotel at about 6 PM.
On the fifth day, we decided to visit Kulfri, another hill station known for its beauty. After a 2-hour drive through the hills, we reached our destination. We took a horse ride to reach the hilltop, relaxed a bit by having some snacks, and then enjoyed the view. The evening ended with a bit of snowfall, as we left for our hotel.
The sixth day, or the final day of our time was at Shimla. We were going to visit the Potato Research Institute and the Naldhera Golf Course. We first reached the potato research institute. We started with a tour of the museum where it was showcased how there are different types of potatoes that can be grown in India. We learned about the different diseases that we have to look out for while growing crops, and how the farmers deal with insect-related problems. We were then shown different potato products which are sold in India. Finally, we visited a facility that demonstrated aero-phonic potato crops, which is a method to grow potatoes in the air. We ended our tour with some group photos, as we waved goodbye to the institute. We still had some time on our hands so we decided to visit “The Ridge” again, and ended the day with a beautiful sunset.
All in all, it was an unforgettable trip full of fun, adventure, and memories that we will cherish forever. From the SCL visit to the beautiful hills of Himachal Pradesh, the trip was not only educative but also adventurous. We had a blast and returned home with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of India.
Author Nishant Sahay (22MECV14)