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Oversimplifying it significantly "not quite conductors".
These are materials whose ability to conduct electricity is between conductors and insulators but can be very precisely controlled by doping with other elements as impurities, allowing the construction of electronic devices that can: control the direction of current flow, amplify signals, act as switches, perform boolean logic functions, etc.
These materials can be classed as elemental semiconductors, binary semiconductors, other semiconductors. The elemental semiconductors are elements with 4 valence electrons that are not metals (e.g. silicon, germanium), the binary semiconductors are "alloys" of two elements: one with 3 valence electrons and the other with 5 valence electrons (e.g. gallium arsenide, indium phosphide), other semiconductors can be elements (e.g. selenium) compounds (e.g. galena, copper oxide) or complex "alloys" of several elements (e.g. gallium arsenide phosphide, aluminum gallium indium phosphide).
The term semiconductors is also used to refer to the electronic devices mades of these materials.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoSemi-conductors are components in an electrical circuit
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Why N Type Semiconductors are preferred over P Type Semiconductors?
since n type semiconductors have high mobility for electrons, they are preffered over ptype
What are p type semiconductors?
P type semiconductors have been doped with trivalent elements, causing them to conduct via "hole" flow. N type semiconductors have been doped with pentavalent elements, causing them to conduct via electron flow.
What is semiconductor die?
it refers to a grow silicon seed that is used to grow the final semiconductors
Do nonmetals tend to be just as good conductors as metal?
No, nonmetals tend to be insulators. Some (e.g. carbon) are poor conductors. Semiconductors (e.g. silicon and germanium) in their pure form are insulators but when doped with the right impurities can conduct as good as metals. This is why they are called semiconductors.
What types of elements are used as semiconductors?
Most semiconductors are elements with 4 valence electrons:carbon as either diamond or nanotubes, still has process problemssilicon, most preferred nowgermaniumThere are also binary semiconductors made of alloys of elements with 3 & 5 valence electrons:gallium arsenide is used in some very high speed electronicsaluminum indium gallium phosphide is used in some LEDs and solid state LASERsetc.There are also less commonly used semiconductors used in special purpose applications:copper oxide used to be used in high voltage rectifiers in low cost vacuum tube electronicsselenium is used in light sensitive drum in photocopiers and laserprinterslead sulfide (galena) used in crystal radiosetc.
Application of semiconductors?
Application of semiconductors
What is the meaning of metalloid?
A metalloid has some properties of both metals and nonmetals, and some, like silicon and germanium are semiconductors.
Are transistors semiconductors?
Transistors are made out of semiconductors, yes.
What is the meaning of LM in LM 555 IC?
It's a prefix of the IC products of 'Linear Monolithic' category of National semiconductors.
What is the difference between Semiconductors Industry and Electronics Industry?
semiconductors
When was NXP Semiconductors created?
NXP Semiconductors was created in 2006.
What is NXP Semiconductors's population?
The population of NXP Semiconductors is 28,150.
What is Horizon Semiconductors's population?
The population of Horizon Semiconductors is 120.
What is the population of Horizon Semiconductors?
The population of Horizon Semiconductors is 2,007.
Why are metalloids semiconductors?
Metalloids when used is electronics are called semiconductors.
What has the author J Tauc written?
J. Tauc has written: 'Photo and thermoelectric effects in semiconductors' -- subject(s): Crystals, Electric properties, Photoelectricity, Semiconductors, Thermoelectricity 'Amorphous and liquid semiconductors' -- subject(s): Amorphous semiconductors, Liquid semiconductors
Do compound semiconductors behave as intrinsic semiconductors?
Intrinsic refers to the doping -- intrinsic semiconductors are not doped. Whether compound or not, if they are not doped they are intrinsic.
