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Semiconductor Devices Overview

The document provides an overview of semiconductor devices, explaining their classification into conductors, insulators, and semiconductors, along with energy band theory. It details intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, the doping process, and the formation and biasing of PN junction diodes. Additionally, it outlines the applications of PN junction diodes, including their use in rectifiers and as Zener diodes for voltage regulation.

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namant671
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19 views3 pages

Semiconductor Devices Overview

The document provides an overview of semiconductor devices, explaining their classification into conductors, insulators, and semiconductors, along with energy band theory. It details intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, the doping process, and the formation and biasing of PN junction diodes. Additionally, it outlines the applications of PN junction diodes, including their use in rectifiers and as Zener diodes for voltage regulation.

Uploaded by

namant671
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Semiconductor Devices - Maharashtra State Board

1. Introduction

Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between conductors (like copper) and

insulators (like rubber). Their conductivity can be controlled by doping and temperature.

Classification:

- Conductors: Allow easy flow of electric current due to many free electrons (e.g., copper, silver).

- Insulators: Resist the flow of electric current (e.g., rubber, wood).

- Semiconductors: Have limited free electrons. Conductivity improves with doping and temperature.

Energy Band Theory:

- In solids, energy levels are grouped into bands. The valence band contains electrons, and the conduction

band is where electrons move freely to conduct electricity.

- The gap between these bands is called the band gap.

- Conductors have overlapping bands, insulators have large gaps, and semiconductors have small gaps (~1

eV).

2. Types of Semiconductors

a) Intrinsic Semiconductors:

- Pure form without impurities (e.g., silicon, germanium).

- Conductivity is low and increases with temperature.

b) Extrinsic Semiconductors:

- Doped with impurities to increase conductivity.

- n-type: Doped with pentavalent atoms (5 valence electrons), providing extra electrons.
Semiconductor Devices - Maharashtra State Board

- p-type: Doped with trivalent atoms (3 valence electrons), creating 'holes'.

Doping:

- Process of adding small amounts of impurities to a pure semiconductor.

- Enhances conductivity by increasing charge carriers.

3. PN Junction Diode

A PN junction is formed by joining p-type and n-type semiconductors.

Formation:

- At the junction, electrons and holes recombine, creating a depletion region without charge carriers.

- A potential barrier is formed.

Biasing:

- Forward Bias: Positive terminal to p-side, negative to n-side. Reduces barrier and allows current.

- Reverse Bias: Positive to n-side, negative to p-side. Increases barrier and blocks current.

VI Characteristics:

- In forward bias: Current increases exponentially after threshold voltage.

- In reverse bias: Very small current (leakage) until breakdown voltage.

4. Applications of PN Junction Diode

a) Rectifiers:

- Convert AC to DC.
Semiconductor Devices - Maharashtra State Board

- Half-wave: Uses one diode, conducts during one half-cycle.

- Full-wave: Uses multiple diodes to conduct during both half-cycles.

b) Zener Diode:

- Special diode for reverse bias operation.

- Used for voltage regulation.

- Maintains constant output voltage regardless of input fluctuations.

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