N-type and P-type semiconductors are formed by introducing impurities into a pure semiconductor material, such as silicon or germanium.
N-type semiconductors are formed by introducing elements from group V of the periodic table, such as phosphorus or arsenic, into the semiconductor material. These elements have five valence electrons, one more than the four valence electrons of the semiconductor material. When these impurities are added, the extra electron becomes a free electron that can move through the material, creating an excess of negative charge carriers. This results in an N-type semiconductor, where the majority charge carriers are electrons.
P-type semiconductors are formed by introducing elements from group III of the periodic table, such as boron or gallium, into the semiconductor material. These elements have three valence electrons, one less than the four valence electrons of the semiconductor material. When these impurities are added, a "hole" is created in the crystal lattice where an electron is missing. This hole acts as a positive charge carrier, creating an excess of positive charge carriers in the material. This results in a P-type semiconductor, where the majority charge carriers are holes.
By combining N-type and P-type semiconductors, such as in a PN junction, it is possible to create electronic devices such as diodes and transistors.
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Google Gemini AI
Jul 15
N-type Semiconductor
- Formation: - Pure semiconductor atoms have four valence electrons. - In n-type semiconductor, dopant atoms with five valence electrons (e.g., phosphorus, arsenic, antimony) are added. - These dopant atoms have one extra valence electron that becomes delocalized and contributes to electrical conductivity. - Majority Carriers: Electrons
P-type Semiconductor
- Formation: - In p-type semiconductor, dopant atoms with three valence electrons (e.g., boron, gallium, indium) are added. - These dopant atoms create holes in the semiconductor lattice, which are vacant electron positions. - Electrons from neighboring atoms can move to fill these holes, creating mobile positive charge carriers. - Majority Carriers: Holes