⭐ 1. What is a semiconductor?
Give
examples.
A semiconductor is a material whose conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an
insulator. Its resistivity decreases with increase in temperature.
Examples: Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge).
⭐ 2. Distinguish between intrinsic and
extrinsic semiconductor.
Intrinsic semiconductor
Pure semiconductor with no impurities.
Conductivity is very low.
Number of electrons = number of holes.
Extrinsic semiconductor
Doped semiconductor containing impurities.
Conductivity is high.
Majority and minority carriers depend on type of doping.
⭐ 3. What is doping? Why is it done?
Doping is the process of adding a small amount (≈ 1 part in 10⁸) of impurity atoms to a pure
semiconductor.
Purpose: To increase its electrical conductivity.
⭐ 4. Explain conduction in intrinsic
semiconductor.
In an intrinsic semiconductor, at room temperature, some covalent bonds break due to
thermal energy.
This produces free electrons (in the conduction band) and holes (in the valence band).
Thus conduction takes place by:
electrons moving in conduction band,
holes acting as positive charge carriers in valence band.
⭐ 5. What are majority and minority
carriers?
In n-type semiconductor:
Majority carriers → electrons,
Minority carriers → holes.
In p-type semiconductor:
Majority carriers → holes,
Minority carriers → electrons.
⭐ 6. Formation of n-type semiconductor.
An n-type semiconductor is formed by adding a pentavalent impurity (P, As, Sb) to silicon or
germanium.
Four electrons form covalent bonds; the fifth electron becomes a free electron → majority
carrier.
⭐ 7. Formation of p-type semiconductor.
A p-type semiconductor is formed by adding a trivalent impurity (B, Al, Ga, In).
Three electrons form covalent bonds; one bond is incomplete → hole is created → majority
carrier.
⭐ 8. What is a PN junction?
A pn junction is formed when p-type and n-type semiconductors are joined together.
It develops:
Depletion region,
Potential barrier,
Electric field at the junction.
⭐ 9. What is depletion region?
At the pn junction, electrons (from n-side) diffuse into the p-side and recombine with holes.
As a result, ions are left behind creating a region devoid of free charge carriers.
This is the depletion region.
⭐ 10. What is potential barrier?
The fixed ions in the depletion region create an electric field which opposes further diffusion.
The potential difference across the junction is called potential barrier.
Typical values:
~0.7 V for silicon
~0.3 V for germanium
⭐ 11. Forward biasing of PN junction.
P-side is connected to positive terminal of battery.
N-side to negative terminal.
Potential barrier reduces.
Width of depletion region decreases.
Large current flows.
⭐ 12. Reverse biasing of PN junction.
P-side is connected to negative terminal.
N-side to positive terminal.
Potential barrier increases.
Depletion region widens.
Only a very small reverse saturation current flows.
⭐ 13. Draw and explain VI characteristics
of a PN junction.
Forward bias:
Current remains very small till knee voltage (~0.7 V for Si).
After knee voltage, current increases rapidly.
Reverse bias:
Only small reverse current flows (almost constant).
At high reverse voltage, breakdown occurs.
(If you want, I can draw this graph for you.)
⭐ 14. What is a Zener diode?
A Zener diode is a specially designed diode that works in reverse bias in the breakdown
region without damage.
⭐ 15. What is Zener breakdown?
When strong electric field in depletion region breaks covalent bonds suddenly, causing a
sharp rise in reverse current at constant voltage.
This voltage is called Zener voltage.
⭐ 16. Explain Zener diode as a voltage
regulator.
In reverse bias, once the voltage reaches Zener voltage VZV_ZVZ, the Zener diode maintains
a constant output voltage even if input voltage or load changes.
Thus it acts as a voltage regulator.
⭐ 17. Explain photodiode.
A photodiode is a junction diode operated in reverse bias.
When light falls on it, electron-hole pairs are generated → reverse current increases.
Used in light sensors, optical communication.
⭐ 18. What is an LED? Give two
advantages.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) emits light when forward biased.
Advantages:
1. Low power consumption.
2. Long life, fast response.
⭐ 19. Explain solar cell.
A solar cell is a pn junction that converts solar energy → electrical energy.
Light generates electron-hole pairs; they are separated by the junction field producing a
voltage.
⭐ 20. Logic gates (symbols + truth tables).
AND gate
Output is 1 only if both inputs are 1.
OR gate
Output is 1 if any input is 1.
NOT gate
Inverts the input.
NAND gate
NOT(AND).
Universal gate.
NOR gate
NOT(OR).
Also a universal gate.
(If you want, I can list all truth tables.)