Charge carrierIn solid state physics, a charge carrier is a particle or quasiparticle that is free to move, carrying an electric charge, especially the particles that carry electric charges in electrical conductors. Examples are electrons, ions and holes. In a conducting medium, an electric field can exert force on these free particles, causing a net motion of the particles through the medium; this is what constitutes an electric current.
Doping (semiconductor)In semiconductor production, doping is the intentional introduction of impurities into an intrinsic (undoped) semiconductor for the purpose of modulating its electrical, optical and structural properties. The doped material is referred to as an extrinsic semiconductor. Small numbers of dopant atoms can change the ability of a semiconductor to conduct electricity.Intrinsic semiconductorAn intrinsic semiconductor, also called a pure semiconductor, undoped semiconductor or i-type semiconductor, is a semiconductor without any significant dopant species present. The number of charge carriers is therefore determined by the properties of the material itself instead of the amount of impurities. In intrinsic semiconductors the number of excited electrons and the number of holes are equal: n = p, as a direct consequence of charge neutrality for the semiconductor.
SemiconductorA semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Its conductivity can be modified by adding impurities ("doping") to its crystal structure. When two regions with different doping levels are present in the same crystal, they form a semiconductor junction.
Acceptor (semiconductors)In semiconductor physics, an acceptor is a dopant atom that when substituted into a semiconductor lattice forms a p-type region. When silicon (Si), having four valence electrons, is doped with elements from group III of the periodic table, such as boron (B) and aluminium (Al), both having three valence electrons, a p-type semiconductor is formed. These dopant elements represent trivalent impurities. Other trivalent dopants include indium (In) and gallium (Ga).
Donor (semiconductors)In semiconductor physics, a donor is a dopant atom that, when added to a semiconductor, can form a n-type region. For example, when silicon (Si), having four valence electrons, is to be doped as a n-type semiconductor, elements from group V like phosphorus (P) or arsenic (As) can be used because they have five valence electrons. A dopant with five valence electrons is also called a pentavalent impurity. Other pentavalent dopants are antimony (Sb) and bismuth (Bi).
Electron holeIn physics, chemistry, and electronic engineering, an electron hole (often simply called a hole) is a quasiparticle denoting the lack of an electron at a position where one could exist in an atom or atomic lattice. Since in a normal atom or crystal lattice the negative charge of the electrons is balanced by the positive charge of the atomic nuclei, the absence of an electron leaves a net positive charge at the hole's location.
Semiconductor deviceA semiconductor device is an electronic component that relies on the electronic properties of a semiconductor material (primarily silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide, as well as organic semiconductors) for its function. Its conductivity lies between conductors and insulators. Semiconductor devices have replaced vacuum tubes in most applications.
ElectronThe electron (e, or β in nuclear reactions) is a subatomic particle whose electric charge is negative one elementary charge. It is an elementary particle contained in the matter that makes up the universe. All atoms are composed of electrons, as well as varying numbers protons and neutrons, but the electrons have almost 2,000 times less mass than the other two constituents.DopantA dopant (also called a doping agent) is a small amount of a substance added to a material to alter its physical properties, such as electrical or optical properties. The amount of dopant is typically very low compared to the material being doped. When doped into crystalline substances, the dopant's atoms get incorporated into the crystal lattice of the substance.
Electric currentAn electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, through an electrical conductor or space. It is defined as the net rate at which electric charge flows through a surface. The moving particles are called charge carriers, which may be of several types, depending on the conductor. In electric circuits, the charge carriers are often electrons moving through a wire. In semiconductors, the charge carriers can be electrons or holes.
DiodeA diode is a two-terminalelectronic component that conducts electric current primarily in one direction (asymmetric conductance). It has low (ideally zero) resistance in one direction and high (ideally infinite) resistance in the other. A semiconductor diode, the most commonly used type today, is a crystalline piece of semiconductor material with a p–n junction connected to two electrical terminals. It has an exponentialcurrent–voltage characteristic.
Doping (semiconductor)In semiconductor production, doping is the intentional introduction of impurities into an intrinsic (undoped) semiconductor for the purpose of modulating its electrical, optical and structural properties. The doped material is referred to as an extrinsic semiconductor. Small numbers of dopant atoms can change the ability of a semiconductor to conduct electricity.Intrinsic semiconductorAn intrinsic semiconductor, also called a pure semiconductor, undoped semiconductor or i-type semiconductor, is a semiconductor without any significant dopant species present. The number of charge carriers is therefore determined by the properties of the material itself instead of the amount of impurities. In intrinsic semiconductors the number of excited electrons and the number of holes are equal: n = p, as a direct consequence of charge neutrality for the semiconductor.SemiconductorA semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Its conductivity can be modified by adding impurities ("doping") to its crystal structure. When two regions with different doping levels are present in the same crystal, they form a semiconductor junction.Acceptor (semiconductors)In semiconductor physics, an acceptor is a dopant atom that when substituted into a semiconductor lattice forms a p-type region. When silicon (Si), having four valence electrons, is doped with elements from group III of the periodic table, such as boron (B) and aluminium (Al), both having three valence electrons, a p-type semiconductor is formed. These dopant elements represent trivalent impurities. Other trivalent dopants include indium (In) and gallium (Ga).Donor (semiconductors)In semiconductor physics, a donor is a dopant atom that, when added to a semiconductor, can form a n-type region. For example, when silicon (Si), having four valence electrons, is to be doped as a n-type semiconductor, elements from group V like phosphorus (P) or arsenic (As) can be used because they have five valence electrons. A dopant with five valence electrons is also called a pentavalent impurity. Other pentavalent dopants are antimony (Sb) and bismuth (Bi).Electron holeIn physics, chemistry, and electronic engineering, an electron hole (often simply called a hole) is a quasiparticle denoting the lack of an electron at a position where one could exist in an atom or atomic lattice. Since in a normal atom or crystal lattice the negative charge of the electrons is balanced by the positive charge of the atomic nuclei, the absence of an electron leaves a net positive charge at the hole's location.Semiconductor deviceA semiconductor device is an electronic component that relies on the electronic properties of a semiconductor material (primarily silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide, as well as organic semiconductors) for its function. Its conductivity lies between conductors and insulators. Semiconductor devices have replaced vacuum tubes in most applications.ElectronThe electron (e, or β in nuclear reactions) is a subatomic particle whose electric charge is negative one elementary charge. It is an elementary particle contained in the matter that makes up the universe. All atoms are composed of electrons, as well as varying numbers protons and neutrons, but the electrons have almost 2,000 times less mass than the other two constituents.DopantA dopant (also called a doping agent) is a small amount of a substance added to a material to alter its physical properties, such as electrical or optical properties. The amount of dopant is typically very low compared to the material being doped. When doped into crystalline substances, the dopant's atoms get incorporated into the crystal lattice of the substance.Electric currentAn electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, through an electrical conductor or space. It is defined as the net rate at which electric charge flows through a surface. The moving particles are called charge carriers, which may be of several types, depending on the conductor. In electric circuits, the charge carriers are often electrons moving through a wire. In semiconductors, the charge carriers can be electrons or holes.DiodeA diode is a two-terminalelectronic component that conducts electric current primarily in one direction (asymmetric conductance). It has low (ideally zero) resistance in one direction and high (ideally infinite) resistance in the other. A semiconductor diode, the most commonly used type today, is a crystalline piece of semiconductor material with a p–n junction connected to two electrical terminals. It has an exponentialcurrent–voltage characteristic.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.