Semiconductors and Semiconducting Devices

In an isolated atom

In an isolated atom, electrons occupy discrete energy levels. When a very large number of atoms (~10²³ per cm³) come together to form a solid, these d

A pure semiconductor (like pure Si

A pure semiconductor (like pure Si or Ge) is called an intrinsic semiconductor. At absolute zero (0 K), all valence electrons are tightly bound in cov

To improve and control the conductivity

To improve and control the conductivity of a semiconductor, a small and controlled amount of impurity atoms is added to the pure semiconductor. This p

A p

A p-n junction is formed when one side of a single semiconductor crystal is doped to be p-type and the other side is doped to be n-type. At the moment

Biasing means applying an external voltage

Biasing means applying an external voltage to the p-n junction. FORWARD BIAS: Positive terminal of battery connected to p-side, negative terminal to n