Semiconductor
What is Semiconductor?
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity intermediate between that of a conductor and an insulator, characterized by a band gap of approximately 0.1–3 eV that allows partial conduction at room temperature. Silicon and germanium are the most important elemental semiconductors; compound semiconductors include gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP). The conductivity of semiconductors can be tuned by temperature, light, or intentional addition of impurities (doping), making them the foundation of modern electronics, solar cells, and LEDs.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity intermediate between that of a conductor and an insulator, characterized by a band gap of approximately 0.1–3 eV that allows partial conduction at room temperature. Silicon and germanium are the most important elemental semiconductors; compound semiconductors include gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP). The conductivity of semiconductors can be tuned by temperature, light, or intentional addition of impurities (doping), making them the foundation of modern electronics, solar cells, and LEDs.