Semiconductors are materials that have conductivity that is midway between that of conductors, which are usually metals, and nonconductors, which are usually ceramics. Semiconductors can be pure elements like germanium or silicon, or compounds like gallium phosphide. Physics explains the concepts, features, and mathematical approaches used to regulate semiconductors.
Intrinsic Semiconductor
A semiconductor that contains no substantial dopant species is known as an intrinsic (pure) semiconductor, sometimes known as a dopant semiconductor or i-type semiconductor. The qualities of the material, rather than the amount of contaminants, influence the amount of electric charge.
A semiconductor that is exceptionally pure is defined as an intrinsic semiconductor. According to the energy band theory, the permeability of this semiconductor will be 0 at ambient temperature. Si and Ge are two examples of intrinsic semiconductors.
The conduction band is empty in the energy band diagram below, whereas the valence band is completely packed. Excess heat can be fed to it once the temperature has been raised. As a result of leaving the valence band, electrons from the valence band are supplied to the conduction band.
Electrons will flow at random from the valence to the conduction band. The crystal’s holes might also begin to flow in any direction. As a result, the TCR of this semiconductor will be unfriendly (temperature coefficient of resistance). The TCR shows that when the temperature rises, the material’s resistance drops and its conductivity rises.
Characteristics Of An Intrinsic Semiconductor
1)Intrinsic semiconductors are materials that, in their pure state, have the property of a semiconductor.
2)The total number of holes in the electronegativity bond equals the total number of free conduction band electrons.
3)It has a low conductivity of electricity.
4)The temperature is the sole determinant of its electrical conductivity.
Extrinsic Semiconductor
Extrinsic semiconductors have had a regulated rate of contamination added to them in order to make them conductive.
Integral semiconductors can be doped to generate extrinsic semiconductors, just as insulating materials can be doped to form semiconductors.
Extrinsic semiconductors are divided into two types as a result of doping: atoms with an extra electron (n-type for negative, from group V) and subatomic particles with only one or a few electrons (p-type for positive, from group III).
Doping is the process of inserting impurities into a semiconductor that is completely genuine, or intrinsic, in order to change its electrical properties. The kind of semiconductor determines the impurities. Extrinsic semiconductors are used by people who have a low to moderate level of doping.
Difference Between Intrinsic And Extrinsic Semiconductors
Intrinsic Semiconductors are always found in their pure state. At room temperature, they have poor electrical conductivity. The number of electrons equals the number of holes. It is solely reliant on temperature. Silicon and germanium are two examples.
Extrinsic semiconductors are created by doping impurities in pure semiconductors. They have a high electrical conductivity compared to other materials. The number of electrons in a system is not equal to the number of holes. N-type and p-type semiconductors are two types of semiconductors.
Doping
Doping is the process of introducing contamination into a semiconductor. The amount and kind of impurity introduced into the material during extrinsic semiconductor production must be closely monitored. In most cases, one impurity atom is added for every 108 semiconductor atomic nuclei.
To make a semiconductor crystal more adaptive, impurity is added to it to enhance the amount of free electrons or holes. A significant number of free electrons will exist if a pentavalent contaminant with five valence electrons is injected into a clean semiconductor. A significant number of holes will occur if a quadrivalent impurity with three valence electrons is injected into the semiconductor. N-type semiconductors and P-type semiconductors are the two sorts of extrinsic semiconductors based on the type of uncleanliness used.Â
Conclusion
We have studied everything about intrinsic semiconductor, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors and all topics related to Analyzing Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors.
A semiconductor is a material with electrical properties that fall between insulator and conductivity. The most well-known semiconductors are Si and Ge. Extrinsic semiconductors and intrinsic semiconductors are the two types of semiconductors (p-type and n-type). Although the intrinsic type of semiconductor is pure, the extended type contains impurities in order to make it conductive. Intrinsic conductivity will be zero at room temperature, while extrinsic conductivity will be minimal.