key term - Semiconductor

Definition

A semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor, like a metal, and an insulator, like a plastic. Semiconductors are the foundation of modern electronics and are essential components in devices such as transistors, integrated circuits, and solar cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Semiconductors are materials that can be used to control the flow of electric current, making them essential for the functioning of electronic devices.
2. The most common semiconductor materials are silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge), but other materials like gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP) are also used.
3. Semiconductors can be doped with impurities to create p-type (positive charge carriers) and n-type (negative charge carriers) materials, which are used to form the basis of many electronic devices.
4. The unique properties of semiconductors, such as their ability to switch and amplify signals, are what enable the development of modern electronics and digital technologies.
5. Semiconductors are the foundation of integrated circuits, which are the building blocks of most electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, and digital cameras.

Review Questions

• Explain how the electrical properties of semiconductors differ from those of conductors and insulators.
  • Semiconductors have electrical conductivity that falls between conductors and insulators. Unlike conductors, which have high electrical conductivity, and insulators, which have very low conductivity, semiconductors can have their conductivity tuned by doping or the application of electric fields. This ability to control the flow of electric current is what makes semiconductors so useful in electronic devices and circuits.
• Describe the role of doping in creating p-type and n-type semiconductors and how these materials are used to form the basis of electronic devices.
  • Doping is the process of intentionally introducing impurities into a semiconductor material to alter its electrical properties. By doping a semiconductor with elements that have more or fewer valence electrons than the host material, it is possible to create p-type (positive charge carriers) and n-type (negative charge carriers) semiconductors. These p-type and n-type materials can then be combined to form a PN junction, which is the fundamental building block of many electronic devices, such as diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
• Analyze how the unique properties of semiconductors, particularly their ability to switch and amplify signals, have enabled the development of modern electronics and digital technologies.
  • The ability of semiconductors to control the flow of electric current, combined with their ability to switch and amplify signals, has been instrumental in the development of modern electronics and digital technologies. Semiconductors are the foundation of integrated circuits, which are the building blocks of most electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, and digital cameras. The ability to precisely control the behavior of semiconductors through doping and the application of electric fields has allowed for the creation of complex, miniaturized electronic circuits that can perform a wide range of functions, from processing and storing data to powering various electronic devices. This has been a key driver in the rapid advancement of digital technologies that have transformed our world.

Related terms

Doping:

The process of intentionally introducing impurities into a semiconductor material to alter its electrical properties and create p-type or n-type semiconductors.

PN Junction: The interface between a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor, which is the fundamental building block of many electronic devices like diodes and transistors.

Band Gap: The energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band in a semiconductor, which determines its electrical properties and ability to conduct electricity.