How Do Intrinsic Semi Conductors Work?
Silicon and Germanium are examples of substances that are considered to be semiconductors. This is primarily because they only conduct electricity under specific types of conditions. Tin also acts as a conductor at times. All three of these are examples of semiconductors that are natural and do not require any form of doping, or adding of other substances in order to form the typical and expected crystal lattice.
What is a semiconductor?
A semiconductor is a substance which has an increasing ability to conduct electricity as the temperature increases. This is a very broad definition that is meant to separate metals and semiconductors. There are two basic ways semiconductors are classified: intrinsic or extrinsic. These two operate in opposite manners where intrinsic semiconductors occur along with other natural elements. The primary characteristic that sets an intrinsic semiconductor apart is the four valence electrons which occupy different orbitals.
Structure of a Semiconductor
Metals are perhaps the best known type of electrical conductors. The reason metals can easily transport a flow of electricity is because of the “free electrons” that are able to pass form one atom on to the next atom. This is what allows the flow of electricity which is basically composed of numerous electrons which flow across a particular substance. Semiconductors work in a totally different way. Intrinsic semiconductors are found in group 14 of the elements. This means that they all only have 4 valance P electrons that are even available to bond in the outermost shell. Because they have these four electrons, the elements considered in group 14 can form structures that are formed of innumerable atoms of that particular element. These structures are called lattice structures. When they bond together to form lattice structures, all the electrons are used to create the covalent bonding structure. This apparently leaves no electrons which can carry any available current. Because of this structure, an intrinsic semiconductor has to rely on different mechanisms to carry the current. This is due to the fact that they lack any type of doping, or foreign agent which could bring in more foreign electrons.
What is the “band theory”?
Semiconductors and metals have one unique characteristic or property which makes them function differently than insulators which basically do not conduct electricity. The minute difference in energy orbitals in both metals and insulators is so little that electrons can move from a lower energy orbital into an orbital which has a higher energy level. The difference in energy levels is called a “band.” The bands are so close in energy levels that it only takes a tiny bit of energy to get the electrons promoted to a higher band level. Once the valence electrons reach the higher energy level which is called the conduction band, the electrons can freely carry electrical currents. The main difference between semiconductors and conductors is that a semiconductor has a gap between the valance and the conduction band where the conductor has no gap, but instead the two overlap.
What is an intrinsic semiconductor?
Intrinsic semiconductors are chemically pure and therefore have very poor ability to conduct electricity, but they are still useful. They have equal numbers of holes (positive carriers) and electrons (negative carriers). However, they are different from an insulator because if the temperature rises above absolute zero, then an electron in the lattice structure can move from its position and leave a hole. When voltage is applied, the electron and the hole can both contribute to a weak electrical flow.
What is The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors?
All semiconductors fit into one of these two groups: intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic semiconductors are found in nature and are the group 14 elements in the table of elements. They are natural, and they are pure. Extrinsic semiconductors on the other hand, have been doped. This means that they have had some impurities introduced in order to increase the number of electrons in the lattice so that they will increase in conduction. Intrinsic semiconductors are used in many different ways today such as in transistors and in a wide variety of electrical products. The problem is that intrinsic semiconductors are more difficult to find and even if these pure elements are found, they are not in large numbers. This makes extrinsic semiconductors more prevalent and more popular.
What is a semiconductor?
A semiconductor is a substance which has an increasing ability to conduct electricity as the temperature increases. This is a very broad definition that is meant to separate metals and semiconductors. There are two basic ways semiconductors are classified: intrinsic or extrinsic. These two operate in opposite manners where intrinsic semiconductors occur along with other natural elements. The primary characteristic that sets an intrinsic semiconductor apart is the four valence electrons which occupy different orbitals.
Structure of a Semiconductor
Metals are perhaps the best known type of electrical conductors. The reason metals can easily transport a flow of electricity is because of the “free electrons” that are able to pass form one atom on to the next atom. This is what allows the flow of electricity which is basically composed of numerous electrons which flow across a particular substance. Semiconductors work in a totally different way. Intrinsic semiconductors are found in group 14 of the elements. This means that they all only have 4 valance P electrons that are even available to bond in the outermost shell. Because they have these four electrons, the elements considered in group 14 can form structures that are formed of innumerable atoms of that particular element. These structures are called lattice structures. When they bond together to form lattice structures, all the electrons are used to create the covalent bonding structure. This apparently leaves no electrons which can carry any available current. Because of this structure, an intrinsic semiconductor has to rely on different mechanisms to carry the current. This is due to the fact that they lack any type of doping, or foreign agent which could bring in more foreign electrons.
What is the “band theory”?
Semiconductors and metals have one unique characteristic or property which makes them function differently than insulators which basically do not conduct electricity. The minute difference in energy orbitals in both metals and insulators is so little that electrons can move from a lower energy orbital into an orbital which has a higher energy level. The difference in energy levels is called a “band.” The bands are so close in energy levels that it only takes a tiny bit of energy to get the electrons promoted to a higher band level. Once the valence electrons reach the higher energy level which is called the conduction band, the electrons can freely carry electrical currents. The main difference between semiconductors and conductors is that a semiconductor has a gap between the valance and the conduction band where the conductor has no gap, but instead the two overlap.
What is an intrinsic semiconductor?
Intrinsic semiconductors are chemically pure and therefore have very poor ability to conduct electricity, but they are still useful. They have equal numbers of holes (positive carriers) and electrons (negative carriers). However, they are different from an insulator because if the temperature rises above absolute zero, then an electron in the lattice structure can move from its position and leave a hole. When voltage is applied, the electron and the hole can both contribute to a weak electrical flow.
What is The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors?
All semiconductors fit into one of these two groups: intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic semiconductors are found in nature and are the group 14 elements in the table of elements. They are natural, and they are pure. Extrinsic semiconductors on the other hand, have been doped. This means that they have had some impurities introduced in order to increase the number of electrons in the lattice so that they will increase in conduction. Intrinsic semiconductors are used in many different ways today such as in transistors and in a wide variety of electrical products. The problem is that intrinsic semiconductors are more difficult to find and even if these pure elements are found, they are not in large numbers. This makes extrinsic semiconductors more prevalent and more popular.