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o 4 valence electrons – all involved in sharing each of its four valence electrons with
another Si atom
o Each of electrons paired with one from another Si atom – covalent bond
o Current only flows when sufficient energy mobilises valence electrons into
conduction band
- Adding small amount of impurity to silicon (doping), semiconductor formed has much
o Doping with group 3 element – dopant atoms have one less valence electron
than Si
One silicon atom left with unbound electron, and slightly positive region
Positive hole – less energy required for mobilising charge into conduction
band
o Doping with group 5 element – dopant atoms have one more valence electron
than Si
One electron from dopant atom left unbound, thus energy required to
- Desire to transport more and more information – signals needed to be amplified to allow
www.pbs.org/transistor
- William Shockley (Bell Labs, US) – found that impurities incorporated into semiconductor
signals
The impact of the invention of the transistor and the development of the microprocessor
- Huge impact on modern society and the way in which humans in developed world lead
lives