Semiconductor-low electrical conductivity at room temperature, conductivity increases with increasing temperature.

Intrinsic semiconductors are pure extrinsic semiconductors contain small amounts of other elements to increase conductivity. The process is called doping in the element used is called dopant. Semiconductors examples are silicone and and germanium. Band theory 1. Conduction band-allow electrical conduction 2. Valance band-valance electrons are present. 3. forbidden gap separates conduction and valance bands. Energy Gap between the valance bands of the conduction bands is very small. Small energy required for the electrons to hop from valance and to conduction band. The moment of electron leaves a vacancy or hole. When the material is connected to a battery the electrons and holes move towards the opposite electrodes and the material starts conducting. Electrons and holes may also be generated in a semiconductor by doping. They are generally generated with heat or light energy but the conductivity remains low. Efficient method doping. Trivalent Impurities To make p-type Aluminum (Al) Gallium (Ga) Boron (B) Indium (In) Pentavalent Impurities To make n-type Phosphorus (P) Arsenic (As) Antimony (Sb) Bismuth (Bi) p-n junction combination of p and n type semiconductors are pn junction diodes or semiconductor diodes. The p side of the diode contains mobile positive charge carriers while the n side of the diode contains mobile negative charge carriers. At the junction of a PN junction diode the holes and electrons recombine to form the depletion region which consists of a immobile charge carriers. This results in the formation of barrier potential which prevents the further diffusion of electrons and holes across the junction.