The Physics Behind The Transition Of An Extrinsic Semiconductor To An Intrinsic Semiconductor At High Temperatures

The Physics Behind the Transition of an Extrinsic Semiconductor to an Intrinsic Semiconductor at High Temperatures

At very high temperature the extrinsic semiconductor becomes intrinsic because of the thermal energy that is supplied to it. This transition of an extrinsic semiconductor to an intrinsic semiconductor is not only fascinating but also important to understand in order to properly apply semiconductors in a variety of applications.

What is an Extrinsic Semiconductor?

An extrinsic semiconductor is a type of semiconductor material that has been doped with impurities, or dopants, in order to increase its conductivity. These dopants are usually either donor atoms or acceptor atoms, which can add or remove electrons from the semiconductor material, respectively. The electrons and holes created by the dopants are known as charge carriers, and they are responsible for the material’s conductivity.

What is an Intrinsic Semiconductor?

An intrinsic semiconductor is a type of semiconductor material that has not been doped with any impurities. This means that the material is in its purest form, and the only charge carriers that exist in the material are the electrons and holes that are naturally present in the material. Due to the lack of dopants, intrinsic semiconductors are not as conductive as extrinsic semiconductors.

How Does an Extrinsic Semiconductor Become Intrinsic at High Temperatures?

As the temperature of an extrinsic semiconductor increases, the thermal energy of the material also increases. This thermal energy is strong enough to overcome the energy barriers that exist between the dopants, allowing the dopants to move around freely. This results in the dopants being diffused away from the material, effectively removing them from the semiconductor. Once the dopants have been removed, the semiconductor has been converted to an intrinsic semiconductor.

What Are the Implications of the Transition?

The transition of an extrinsic semiconductor to an intrinsic semiconductor at high temperatures has a number of implications. For example, it can affect the performance of the semiconductor, as intrinsic semiconductors are less conductive than extrinsic semiconductors. This means that the semiconductor will not be able to operate at its optimal performance at high temperatures. Additionally, the transition can also cause the semiconductor to become unstable, which can lead to further performance issues.

Conclusion

At very high temperature the extrinsic semiconductor becomes intrinsic because of the thermal energy that is supplied to it. This transition of an extrinsic semiconductor to an intrinsic semiconductor is important to understand in order to properly apply semiconductors in a variety of applications. The transition has a number of implications, such as affecting the performance of the semiconductor and causing the semiconductor to become unstable.

Dated : 04-Feb-2023

Category : Education

Tags : Science