Question

What factors are responsible for the conduction of current by a semiconductor?

Answer 1

1. Temperature: Increasing temperature provides energy to electrons, allowing them to jump from the valence band to the conduction band, increasing conductivity.
2. Doping: Adding impurities (dopants) like phosphorus (n-type) or boron (p-type) introduces free charge carriers (electrons or holes), significantly boosting conductivity.
3. Electric Field: Applying an external electric field accelerates free charge carriers, resulting in an electric current.
4. Band Gap Energy: Semiconductors have a small band gap (typically 0.7 to 3 eV), which makes it easier for electrons to move to the conduction band.
5. Photon Absorption (Photoexcitation): Exposure to light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation can provide energy for electrons to jump into the conduction band, creating current (photoelectric effect).
6. Crystal Purity and Lattice Structure: The arrangement and purity of the crystal lattice affect the ease with which electrons can move, influencing conductivity.