SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL

CHAPTER 1 (Part 2)

SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL
Atomic Structure

P-type & n-type semiconductors

Material Classification

Conduction in Semiconductor

Energy Band

Covalent Bonds

1.3 Energy Band

n

ENERGY in an electron is of two types - kine7c (energy of mo7on) and poten7al (energy of posi7on). Each material has its own set of permissible energy levels for the electrons in its atomic structure. Energy level in an atom is measured in ELECTRON VOLT (eV): 1 eV = 1.602 x 10-19 J Electrons that orbits within an energy level will have similar amount of energy.

Energy Level
More energy

Less energy

Energy increases as the distance from the nucleus increases.

Energy Gap

Energy diagrams for the three types of materials:

Energy Gap
n

When an electron acquires sucient addi7onal energy, it can leave the valence shell and become a free electron and exists in the conduc7on band. The energy dierence between the valence band and conduc7on band is called the energy gap. Energy gap: the amount of energy that a valence electron must have to jump into the conduc7on band. Once in conduc7on band, the electron is free to move throughout the material and is not 7ed to any atom.

Covalent Bonds
The atoms are electrically stable because their valence shells are complete.

Covalent Bonds

In a pure silicon or germanium crystal, the four valence electrons of one atom form a bonding arrangement with four adjoining atoms. This bonding of atoms, strengthened by the sharing of electrons, is called covalent bonding is a method by which atoms complete their valence shell by sharing valence electrons with other atoms

Covalent Bonds

Certain atoms will combine in this way to form a crystal structure. Silicon and Germanium atoms combine in this way in their intrinsic or pure state.

Covalent Bonds in a silicon crystal

REVIEW
1.

In the atomic structure of a semiconductor, within which energy band do free electrons exist? Within which energy band do valence electrons exist?

2.

Why is current established more easily in a semiconductor than in an insulator?