Semiconductor

Semiconductor

A Semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between a conductor (such as metallic copper) and an insulator (such as glass). Semiconductors are the foundation of modern electronics, including transistors, solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and integrated circuits.

Properties

Semiconductors differ from metals in their characteristic property of decreasing electrical resistivity with increasing temperature. The behavior can be understood in terms of the quantum states available to the electrons in the solid.

Types of Semiconductors

Semiconductors can be classified into two types:

• Intrinsic semiconductors: These are pure semiconductors with no impurities. Silicon and germanium are examples of intrinsic semiconductors.

• Extrinsic semiconductors: These are impure semiconductors. They are further classified into two types: N-type and P-type semiconductors.

Applications

Semiconductors have a wide range of applications. They are used in the manufacturing of various electronic devices, including transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits. They are also used in solar cells and light-emitting diodes.

See also

• Conductor (electricity)
• Insulator (electricity)
• Transistor
• Solar cell
• Light-emitting diode
• Integrated circuit

References

Semiconductor Resources
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