Physics Assignment - Chapter: Semiconductor Electronics
Topic: Semiconductor - Very Detailed Explanation
Definition:
A semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor (like copper) and an
insulator (like glass). Its conductivity is not fixed - it can be modified by temperature, light, or adding impurities
(a process called doping).
Key Characteristics of Semiconductors:
1. Moderate Conductivity: Neither very high (like metals) nor very low (like insulators).
2. Energy Band Gap: Typically between 0.2 eV and 2 eV.
- Silicon (Si): 1.1 eV
- Germanium (Ge): 0.7 eV
3. Temperature Dependent:
- As temperature increases, conductivity increases (unlike metals).
4. Used in Modern Electronics: Semiconductors are the foundation of devices like diodes, transistors, LEDs,
solar cells, and microchips.
Examples of Semiconductors:
- Intrinsic (Pure): Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge)
- Compound Semiconductors: Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Silicon Carbide (SiC)
Energy Band Structure:
Every solid has energy bands:
- Valence Band: Electrons are bound to atoms.
- Conduction Band: Electrons are free to move and conduct electricity.
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Physics Assignment - Chapter: Semiconductor Electronics
- Band Gap (Eg): The energy difference between conduction and valence bands.
Material | Eg (eV) | Conductivity
Conductor | ~0 | Very High
Semiconductor | 0.2 - 2 | Moderate
Insulator |>3 | Very Low
In Semiconductors:
At room temperature, some electrons can cross the band gap -> free electrons + holes are created ->
conduction begins.
Types of Semiconductors:
1. Intrinsic Semiconductor:
- Pure form of semiconductor.
- Conduction occurs due to thermal excitation.
- Equal number of electrons and holes.
2. Extrinsic Semiconductor:
- Doped with impurities to improve conductivity.
- Two types:
a) n-type Semiconductor:
- Doped with pentavalent atoms (5 valence electrons), e.g., Phosphorus, Arsenic
- Extra electrons become majority charge carriers.
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Physics Assignment - Chapter: Semiconductor Electronics
b) p-type Semiconductor:
- Doped with trivalent atoms (3 valence electrons), e.g., Boron, Indium
- Holes (missing electrons) become majority carriers.
Important Formula:
Mass Action Law:
n * p = ni^2
Where:
n: free electrons
p: holes
ni: intrinsic carrier concentration
How Do Semiconductors Conduct?
At 0 K: Acts like an insulator (no free carriers).
At room temperature: Thermal energy breaks bonds -> creates electron-hole pairs.
With doping: Charge carriers increase -> higher conductivity.
Why Semiconductors Are Important:
- Switching and Amplification: Used in transistors.
- Power Control: In rectifiers and voltage regulators.
- Light Emission & Detection: LEDs, photodiodes, solar cells.
- Computing and Logic: Microprocessors, memory chips.
Summary:
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Physics Assignment - Chapter: Semiconductor Electronics
Feature | Semiconductor
--------------------|-------------------------------
Conductivity | Between conductor and insulator
Band Gap | ~1 eV
Temp Effect | Conductivity increases with Temperature
Doping | Alters carrier type and density
Examples | Si, Ge, GaAs
Applications | Diodes, Transistors, ICs, Solar Cells
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