Different types of semiconductors are used in electronics.
A semiconductor is an insulating material that, when certain substances are added or in a certain context, becomes a conductor . This means that, depending on certain factors, the semiconductor acts as an insulator or as a conductor.
Semiconductors can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic semiconductors (which are also known as extremely pure semiconductors ) are crystals that, through covalent bonds between atoms, develop a tetrahedral-type structure. At room temperature, these crystals have electrons that absorb the energy they need to pass through. the conduction band, leaving an electron hole in the valence band.
Extrinsic semiconductors , for their part, are intrinsic semiconductors to which impurities are added to achieve doping (this is how the result of the process carried out to modify the electrical properties of a semiconductor is known).
Characteristics of a semiconductor
There are numerous data of great interest about semiconductors such as the following:
-The first time it is considered that they began to be talked about and used was in the 1920s. In what were known as radio receivers, also called "galen's", was where they were used and they were detectors small diodes.
-In the 1940s, more precisely in 1947, was when several researchers at Bell Laboratories carried out the development of the first germanium semiconductor. This was called a transistor and it became a fundamental element in the world of electronics from that very moment.
-In order to be able to increase the conductivity of a semiconductor element more or less noticeably, what must be done is to increase its illumination, clearly raise its temperature or perform what is called doping. This is a procedure that basically consists of introducing impurities into their crystalline structure.
-There are certain semiconductors that, despite being recognized as such, have a series of characteristics halfway between conductors and insulators that ultimately lead them to have doubts about whether to place them in one place or another. We are referring specifically to the aforementioned germanium, silicon and selenium.
-In addition to all those mentioned, other important semiconductors are cadmium, boron, indium, gallium...
Transistors and chips are made from semiconductors.
Differences with conductors and insulators
All chemical elements are classified as conductors, insulators or semiconductors. While conductors have low resistance to the circulation of electric current and insulators have high resistance, semiconductors are located between the two since they allow the passage of current only in certain cases.
Temperature, pressure , radiation, and magnetic fields can cause a semiconductor to act as a conductor or an insulator depending on the context.
Examples of semiconductors
Among the most used semiconductors in industry are silicon , sulfur and germanium .
These elements are used for the production of chips and transistors, among other products.