Fundamentals of Electronic Circuits

Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Semiconductors

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
• discuss the fundamentals principles of semiconductor materials
• explain the properties and behavior of semiconductor materials under various conditions

INTRODUCTION
Semiconductors are the key components in the manufacture of electronic devices such as diodes, transistors,
and integrated circuits. These electronic devices are the basic building blocks of our digital devices such as
computers, smartphones, televisions, and as well as modern electronic appliances. Semiconductors were
widely because of their compactness, power efficiency, reliability, and most importantly low cost. Since the
discovery of important properties of semiconductors in electronic applications, technology development
became fast-paced and continue to advance for our society’s convenience.

DISCUSSION

Semiconductor Physics

Matter can basically be divided into three phases – solid, liquid, and gas. Solids are materials in which the
atoms or molecules are set in place; liquids have atoms or molecules close to each other but can slip over
each other to change places; and gases have atoms or molecules that have too much energy to settle down
attached to each other. Solids can be divided to two parts according to its atomic or molecular structure –
crystalline and non-crystalline. Crystalline solids have characteristic angles and can be cleaved along lines
defined by the aligning of atoms or molecules of the crystal while non-crystalline solids have amorphous
structures. Crystalline solids can be further divided into categories namely: conductors, insulators, and
semiconductors.

Conductors are materials that allow the free passage of electricity or heat like silver, copper, gold, and
aluminum. They have three or less valence electrons and exhibit positive temperature coefficient.

Insulators are materials that have an extremely high resistance to the flow of electricity or heat like rubber,
plastic, enamel, glass, dry wood, and mica. They have five or more valence electrons and exhibit negative
temperature coefficient.

Semiconductors are materials that have conductivity that is about midway of a conductor and an insulator
like germanium, silicon and carbon. They have four valence electrons exhibit negative temperature coefficient.

Types of Semiconductors

1. Intrinsic Semiconductor. Intrinsic semiconductors are materials that has been carefully refined to reduce
the impurities to a very low-level.
2. Extrinsic Semiconductor. Extrinsic semiconductors are materials that has been subjected to doping
process.

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 1
Fundamentals of Electronic Circuits
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Semiconductors
Semiconductor Doping

Doping is the addition of small percentage of foreign atoms in the regular crystal lattice of silicon or
germanium which produces dramatic changes in their electrical properties, producing an n-type or a p-type
semiconductor. These foreign atoms are referred to as impurities and can be classified into two – pentavalent
and trivalent impurities.
• Pentavalent impurities (donor atoms) have five valence electrons which produce an n-type semiconductor
by contributing extra electrons. Examples are arsenic, antimony, and phosphorous.
• Trivalent impurities (acceptor atoms) have three valence electrons which produce a p-type semiconductor
by producing a hole or electron deficiency. Examples are boron, aluminum, and gallium.

Types of Extrinsic Semiconductor

1. N-type semiconductor. A semiconductor material with added pentavalent impurities greatly increasing
the conductivity of the intrinsic semiconductor.

n-type semiconductor band structure

2. P-type semiconductor. A semiconductor material with added trivalent impurities which creates holes or
deficiency of valence electrons.

p-type semiconductor band structur e

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 2
Fundamentals of Electronic Circuits
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Semiconductors

The P-N Junction

When n-type and p-type materials are placed in contact with each other, a p-n junction is formed. This
junction behaves differently either type of material alone. Specifically, current will flow readily in one direction
but not in the other. When a p-n junction is formed, some of the free electrons in the in the n-region diffuses
across the junction and combine with holes to form negative ions leaving behind positive ions at the donor
impurity sites and creating a depletion region. Depletion region is the region in the p-n junction that inhibits
any electron transfer unless it is helped by putting a forward bias on the junction.

The p-n junction

• Forward biased p-n junction. A p-n junction is said to be forward biased if the positive terminal of a cell
is connected to the p-side and the negative terminal to the n-side.

Forward biased p-n junction

• Reverse biased p-n junction. A p-n junction is said to be reverse biased if the positive terminal of a cell
is connected to the n-side and the negative terminal to the p-side.

Reverse biased p-n junction

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 3
Fundamentals of Electronic Circuits
Module No. : 01
Topic/s : Introduction to Semiconductors

REFERENCES
Boylestad, Robert. (2013). Semiconductor Diodes. Electronics Device and Circuits Theory. (11th edition,
Chapter 1, pp. 1-10). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Publication, Inc.

“Experience serves not only to confirm theory, but differs from it without disturbing it, it leads to
new truths which theory only has not been able to reach.”
Dalembert

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 4