What does the acronym CMOS stand for?

The acronym CMOS stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor. This technology is widely used in the fabrication of integrated circuits, including microprocessors, memory chips, and digital logic circuits. The term "complementary" refers to the use of both p-type and n-type MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors) within a single chip, which allows for low power consumption and high speed. The "metal-oxide" refers to the materials used in the construction of these transistors, where a metal gate electrode is separated from the semiconductor body by a thin oxide layer. CMOS technology is favored for many applications due to its efficiency and scalability, making it a cornerstone of modern electronic design.