Semiconductors

Some substances allow passing of electricity through them examples being Steel, Aluminium, Silver, Copper etc. They are called conductors. Whereas, some substances do not allow passing of electricity through them examples being wood, rubber etc. They are called insulators. But, there are substances which do not conduct electricity like metals but conduct to some extent, they are called semiconductors. The commonly used semiconductors are Silicon and Germanium. Silicon is used in Transistors, junction diodes etc. which has revolutionized modern computing. The picture below is of an integrated circuit in which semiconductors are used.

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Chracteristics

i. Resistivity is higher than that of metals. Resistivity is a property of a substance to resist the flow of electricity through them. They are less conductivity means they resist more to flow of electricity obviously.

ii. The temperature coefficient of resistance is negative. In general, when temperature increases in metal, the motion of electrons becomes random and it resists the flow more. That means resistivity in metal increases with temperature. But, in semiconductor, with an increase in temperature, the resistivity decreases.

ρ-ρ0 = ρ0 α Δ(θ- θ0)

ρ0= resistivity ar temperature θ0

ρ= resistivity ar temperature θ

α = Temperature coefficient.

For metals, α >0

when θ> θ0; ρ > ρ0

For semiconductors, α <0

when θ< θ0; ρ < ρ0

iii. On adding the metal impurities the conductivity increases.

iv. Usually in metallic appearance but hard and brittle.

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Types

There are two types of semiconductors; Intrinsic and Extrinsic semiconductor.

i. Intrinsic Semiconductor:

When Silicon and Germanium semiconductors are used purely without adding any external impurities then this type of semiconductor is called intrinsic semiconductor. At absolute zero temperature(T= 0 K), it doesn't conduct electricity. When temperature increase then their bond decompose and the some of the electrons get free. Due to the less free electron, its conductivity is very less. So, impurities should be added to increase conductivity significantly.

ii. Extrinsic Semiconductor:

The extrinsic semiconductors are those in which external impurities or doping agent are added in very small amount. About 1 impure atom is added in 10^8 pure atoms. Pure atoms are that of Silicon and Germanium. Doping atoms are generally pentavalent or trivalent atoms. Pentavalent atoms are those atoms which have 5 valence electrons and trivalent atoms are one which have 3 valence electrons. Generally, Boron(trivalent) and Phosphorous(pentavalent) impurities are added.

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Sources:

i. Image from (https://pixabay.com/)

ii. Science and Engineering of Materials (http://www.springer.com/us/book/9781489928955)