What Is A Semiconductor

What is a semiconductor ?
Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors (generally metals) and
non-conductors or insulators (such as most ceramics). Semiconductors can be pure elements, such as
silicon or germanium,or compounds such as gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide.
Metal
Insulator
Semiconductor
 Metals are the substances that are naturally found below the earth.
 Insulators are poor conductor of heat and electricity.
 A substance that holds the property of both conductor and insulators are known as
semiconductors.
 The conduction band in metals is either filled or partially filled while the valence band
is partially empty.
 The electrons move from low energy to high energy where they behave as free
electrons.
 The valence band is completely filled while the conduction band is partially filled.
 The valence band is completely filled while the conduction band is empty in the case
of semiconductors.
 There is no forbidden gap in the case of metals.
 As a result there is large energy gap.
 This results in low gap in energy bands.
Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors
 Intrinsic semiconductors exist in their purest form at all times while

Extrinsic semiconductors are created by doping impurities in pure
semiconductors.
 At room temperature, Intrinsic semiconductors have poor electrical
conductivity while Extrinsic semiconductors have a high electrical
conductivity compared to other materials.
 The number of electrons equals the number of holes in Intrinsic
semiconductors while numbers are unequal in Extrinsic semiconductors.
 Intrinsic semiconductors are solely reliant on temperature while Extrinsic
semiconductors are affected by temperature and the number of
contaminants present.
 Intrinsic semiconductors are not further classified while N-type and p-type
semiconductors are two types of semiconductors in Extrinsic
semiconductors.
 Silicon and germanium are two examples of Intrinsic semiconductors
while Si and Ge doped with Al, In, P, As, and other elements are examples
of Extrinsic semiconductors.
Energy Band Diagram Of Intrinsic Semiconductor

The energy band diagram of an intrinsic semiconductor shows the conduction and
valence bands in an atom. The gap between the bands is called the forbidden gap.
This should be equal intrinsically.
TABLE OF CONTENT
 Intrinsic Semiconductor
 Conclusion
When an electrical charge is passed through a semiconductive material, the electrons in the
atom gain high energy levels, break away from the atom’s rotational orbit and become free-
flowing electrons. The space left behind by the free electrons in the atom orbit is known as a
hole. In an intrinsic semiconductor, the number of electrons in free motion outside the valence
band of an atom is equal to the number of holes in the valence band. The existence of an energy
band diagram can help us successfully compute the energy levels of an intrinsic semiconductor.
Intrinsic Semiconductor
They are poor conductors of electricity as they allow very limited, sometimes no passage of
electricity through them. They are mostly used as insulators. This example of intrinsic
semiconductors exists as there are an equal number of electrons and holes in the atomic
structure of these elements. The free electrons form covalent bonds with other atoms to create
stable electrical conductivity. This is better explained through the energy band diagram of an
intrinsic semiconductor that shows the distribution of electrons and holes in an intrinsic
conductor.
The Energy band diagram
An energy band diagram measures the energy levels displayed by free-flowing electrons in
semiconductors. The energy level of an electron is measured against its movement through
different objects or solid states in the X-Y axis diagram. This diagram is dependent on the
movement of the electron and can not be measured in terms of the stationary electron. In the
study of semiconductors, the presence of holes is also acknowledged in the energy band
diagram of an intrinsic semiconductor.
The energy band diagram of intrinsic semiconductors always displays the same quantities of
electrons and holes and is considered the most stable semiconductor. The space between the
electrons and holes in the diagram always remains constant in an intrinsic semiconductor.
1. Valence Band – The electrons that are securely tied to the orbit of an atom are known as
valence electrons. They possess properties of stability and low electrical conductivity.
2. Conduction band – When exposed to higher levels of electrical charge, some of the
electrons in the valence band gain high amounts of energy and can break through the
band and become free electrons. These electrons will combine with other atoms or
groups of atoms and create a smooth flow of electricity. So they are unstable in form and
are high conductors of electricity.
3. Forbidden gap – The space between the valence band and conduction band is the
forbidden gap. This contains no electrons, so no energy levels and the size of the gap
determines the conductive properties of the element. In an energy band diagram of
intrinsic semiconductors, the gap is almost always equal when electricity is passed
through it.
Difference Between Donor and

Acceptor Impurities
Basically, the phenomenon of adding impurity to a semiconductor is
known as doping. Doping contributes to the conductivity of the material.
Basis for
Donor Impurities Acceptor Impurities
Comparison
Basic The impurities that increases Those impurities that accepts the
conductivity by donating charge for increasing
charge is known as donor conductivity is known as acceptor
impurities. impurities.
Also referred as pentavalent impurities trivalent impurities
Number of 5 3
valence electrons
Forms n-type semiconductor p-type semiconductor
Group position in Group V Group III
periodic table
Examples Phosphorus, Bismuth. Aluminium, Boron.

What Is A Semiconductor

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What is a semiconductor ?

 Insulators are poor conductor of heat and electricity.

 There is no forbidden gap in the case of metals.

 As a result there is large energy gap.

 This results in low gap in energy bands.

Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors

 Intrinsic semiconductors exist in their purest form at all times while

Energy Band Diagram Of Intrinsic Semiconductor

The Energy band diagram

Difference Between Donor and

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