Types of semiconductor

 

Semiconductors are mainly classified into two categories:

 

Intrinsic Semiconductor

 

An intrinsic semiconductor material is chemically very pure and possesses poor conductivity. It has equal numbers of negative carriers (electrons) and positive carriers (holes). A silicon crystal is different from an insulator because at any temperature above absolute zero temperature, there is a finite probability that an electron in the lattice will be knocked loose from its position, leaving behind an electron deficiency called a "hole".
If a voltage is applied, then both the electron and the hole can contribute to a small current flow.

 

Extrinsic Semiconductor

 

Where as an extrinsic semiconductor is an improved intrinsic semiconductor with a small amount of impurities added by a process, known as doping, which alters the electrical properties of the semiconductor and improves its conductivity. Introducing impurities into the semiconductor materials (doping process) can control their conductivity.
Doping process produces two groups of semiconductors: the negative charge conductor (n-type) and the positive charge conductor (p-type).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

semiconductor by a.bismibanu