The UC Berkeley IC Lab

Education and research in microelectronics, including fabrication and demonstrations of novel devices and circuits, began at Berkeley in 1961. Many creative accomplishments moved Berkeley to national and international leadership in this field. The vision and commitment of founding Professors Don Pederson, Tom Everhart, and Paul Morton were essential to the success of this program, despite initial skepticism in both academic and industrial communities. The development and evolution of laboratory capabilities relied heavily on a skilled and dedicated technical staff. Support from Federal agencies and friends in the industry also was critical. Thousands of Berkeley students have had career-shaping experiences. Many of the graduates have become leaders in industry and academia.