Physics of Semiconductors Essay - 842 Words

Semiconductors were being studied in laboratories as early as the 1830s. The materials were usually poor conductors if heated and often carried photoelectric properties. (Electrical production by shining light on the material.) Soon, this property of changing conductivity would become of vital importance to the world of electronics and communications. (Micron) Common semiconductors include silicon, zinc and germanium; however, silicon is by far the most widely implemented due to its abundance. Also, its reasonable speed, simple processing, and useful temperature range make it a good choice among other semiconductors. (Wikipedia - Semiconductor Device) This element has been used to make cast iron, bricks, and pottery, and glass, but it†¦show more content†¦In atoms, electrons are divided into energy levels which tend to form bands. The highest, filled energy level at which electrons occupy is called the valence band and the first level above the valence band is known as the c onduction band. The valence electrons do not participate in conduction. In metals, the valence and conduction bands overlap and allow free electrons to participate in conduction, however, insulators have an energy gap that is far greater than the thermal energy of the electron. Semiconductors are somewhere between these two extremes, having an energy gap around 1 eV. (Britneys Guide) Semiconductors can be elements such as Germanium, Zinc, and Silicon, or compounds. Also, some semiconductor materials can be intrinsic (pure semiconductors) or extrinsic. An intrinsic semiconductor is normally used in conjunction with thermal or optical excitement to raise electrons from the valence band to the conduction band. An extrinsic semiconductor is formed by doping the intrinsic semiconductor material with a VERY small number of impurity atoms. 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