What type of memory is permanently etched onto a silicon chip during manufacturing?

The type of memory that is permanently etched onto a silicon chip during manufacturing is read-only memory, commonly known as ROM. This memory is designed to hold data that should not be modified or erased during regular operation. Once the manufacturing process is completed, the data in ROM remains intact and safe, even when the power is turned off.

This characteristic makes it suitable for storing firmware - software that is closely tied to specific hardware and not intended to be modified frequently. In contrast, RAM is volatile and loses its data when power is cut, while cache memory temporarily stores frequently accessed data for quick retrieval but can be modified. Flash memory can be rewritten and erased, making it suitable for more dynamic storage solutions, but it is not permanently etched like ROM. Therefore, ROM stands out as the correct answer due to its non-volatile and permanent nature of data storage established during the manufacturing phase.