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Which elements are commonly used as dopants in silicon?
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semiconductor
Typical range of conductivities for insulators, semiconductors, and conductors.
Dopants are impurities deliberately added to silicon to modify its electrical conductivity. The specific elements used depend on the desired type of semiconductor:1
- n-type (negative): Elements with five electrons in their outer shell, such as phosphorus or arsenic, are used. These provide extra electrons that are available for electrical conduction.1
- p-type (positive): Elements with three electrons in their outer shell, such as boron or indium, are used. These create "holes" in the crystal lattice, which act as positive charge carriers.1
By controlling the concentration of these dopants, engineers can precisely tailor the electrical properties of silicon to function as switches or other components in integrated circuits.23