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Basic of Semiconductors

 A semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. It is used in a wide range of electronic devices such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.

The most commonly used semiconductor material is silicon, but other materials such as germanium and gallium arsenide are also used.

The way a semiconductor works is by controlling the flow of electrical current through the material. In a pure semiconductor, there are very few free electrons that can carry electrical current. However, impurities (called dopants) are added to the semiconductor material to create an excess or deficiency of free electrons, creating an electrical current.

Semiconductors are made through a process called doping. In this process, impurities such as boron or phosphorus are added to the semiconductor material in a controlled manner. This creates an excess or deficiency of free electrons and allows for the flow of electrical current.

Semiconductors are rated based on their electrical conductivity. The most common rating is the electrical conductivity ratio, called resistivity (or specific resistance). It's measured in ohm-cm. A lower resistivity indicates that the semiconductor is a better conductor. Another rating is the Bandgap, which is the energy required to excite an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. A smaller band gap implies that the semiconductor is more efficient in converting electrical energy into light.

In summary, a semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. It is commonly used in electronic devices such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits. Semiconductors are made by adding impurities to the semiconductor material through the process of doping, which allows for the flow of electrical current. They are rated based on their electrical conductivity, measured by resistivity and bandgap.

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