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Extrinsic Semiconductor
The conductivity of semiconductors can be greatly improved by
introducing a small number of suitable replacement atoms called
IMPURITIES
The process of adding impurity atoms to the pure semiconductor is called
DOPING. Usually, only 1 atom in 107 is replaced by a dopant atom in the
doped semiconductor
An extrinsic semiconductor can be further classified
into:
P type Semiconductor
Mainly due to holes
Entirely neutral
I = I(holes) and n(holes) >> n(electrons)
Extrinsic Semiconductor 1
Majority – Electrons and Minority – Holes
When a pure semiconductor is doped with a trivalent impurity B, Al, In, Ga
) then, the three valence electrons of the impurity bonds with three of the
four valence electrons of the semiconductor.
This leaves an absence of electron (hole) in the impurity. These impurity
atoms which are ready to accept bonded electrons are called “Acceptors“.
With the increase in the number of impurities, holes (the positive charge
carriers) are increased. Hence, it is called p-type semiconductor.
Crystal as a whole is neutral, but the acceptors become an immobile
negative ion. As conduction is due to a large number of holes, the holes in
the p-type semiconductor are MAJORITY CARRIERS and electrons are
MINORITY CARRIERS
N type Semiconductor
Mainly due to electrons
Entirely neutral
I = I(electrons) and n(electrons) >> n(holes)
Majority – Electrons and Minority – Holes
When a pure semiconductor Silicon or Germanium) is doped by
pentavalent impurity P, As, Sb, Bi) then, four electrons out of five valence
electrons bonds with the four electrons of Ge or Si.
The fifth electron of the dopant is set free. Thus the impurity atom donates
a free electron for conduction in the lattice and is called “Donar“.
Since the number of free electron increases by the addition of an impurity,
the negative charge carriers increase. Hence it is called n-type
semiconductor.
Crystal as a whole is neutral, but the donor atom becomes an immobile
positive ion. As conduction is due to a large number of free electrons, the
electrons in the n-type semiconductor are the MAJORITY CARRIERS and
holes are the MINORITY CARRIERS
Extrinsic Semiconductor 2