SEMICONDUCTORS
1. Energy band dig.
2. Different types of Semi-conductor.
3. Difference between intrinsic and extrinsic (5 points).
4. Energy band dig. intrinsic and extrinsic
5. Difference between p-type and N type (5 points)
6. Energy band dig. P type and N type
7. Formation of P-N junction.
8. Forward bias & Reverse bias
9.V-I characteristics of P-N junction diode.
10. Half wave rectifier with wave dig.
11. Full wave rectifier with wave dig.
12. Rectifier using capacitor & inductor.
Definitions
1. What is a semiconductor?
A semiconductor is a material whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an
insulator. Its conductivity increases with temperature.
Examples: Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge).
2. Define intrinsic semiconductor.
A pure semiconductor without any impurity atoms is called an intrinsic semiconductor.
Charge carriers are thermally generated electron–hole pairs.
3. Define extrinsic semiconductor.
A semiconductor doped with impurity atoms to increase conductivity is called an extrinsic
semiconductor.
4. What is doping?
The process of adding a small amount of impurity to a pure semiconductor to modify its electrical
conductivity.
5. What is an n-type semiconductor?
A semiconductor doped with pentavalent impurities (P, As, Sb).
Majority carriers: Electrons
Minority carriers: Holes
6. What is a p-type semiconductor?
A semiconductor doped with trivalent impurities (B, Al, Ga).
Majority carriers: Holes
Minority carriers: Electrons
7. What is a hole?
A hole is the absence of an electron in the valence band which behaves like a positive charge carrier.
8. What is a p–n junction?
The junction formed when p-type and n-type semiconductors are joined together.
9. What is depletion region?
The region around the p–n junction depleted of free charge carriers due to recombination.
10. What is barrier potential?
The potential difference developed across the depletion region which opposes further diffusion of
charge carriers.
11. Define forward bias.
Connecting p-side to positive terminal and n-side to negative terminal of a battery reduces barrier
potential and allows current flow.
12. Define reverse bias.
Connecting p-side to negative and n-side to positive increases barrier potential and blocks current
(except small leakage current).
13. What is a rectifier?
A device that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) using p–n junction diodes.
14. What is Zener diode?
A heavily doped p–n junction diode designed to operate in reverse breakdown region for voltage
regulation.
15. What is breakdown in a diode?
When reverse voltage exceeds a critical value, a large current flows suddenly. This is called
breakdown (Zener or avalanche).
16. Define energy band gap.
The energy difference between valence band and conduction band.
17. Why are semiconductors insulators at 0 K?
At absolute zero, no electrons are in the conduction band, so no charge carriers are available.
18. Give two applications of semiconductors.
Diodes (rectifiers)
Transistors (amplifiers/switches)
LED, solar cells (any two)