p-type semiconductor
Quick Summary
A p-type semiconductor is a material used in electronics that has been modified to improve its electrical conductivity. This modification, called doping, involves adding specific impurity atoms to a semiconductor crystal, such as silicon or germanium.1
In a p-type semiconductor, the dopant atoms, like boron or indium, have fewer outer electrons than the semiconductor atoms. This creates positively charged sites, or "holes," within the crystal lattice. Electrical current can flow when electrons move to fill these holes, effectively causing the hole to migrate through the material. This process allows p-type semiconductors to conduct electricity more readily than pure semiconductors, making them essential components in electronic devices like diodes and transistors.12
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integrated circuitDoping silicon…an n-type (negative) or a p-type (positive) semiconductor. An n-type semiconductor results from implanting dopant atoms that have more electrons in their outer (bonding) shell than silicon. The resulting semiconductor crystal contains excess, or free, electrons that are available for conducting current. A p-type semiconductor results from implanting dopant atoms…
Read More…an n-type (negative) or a p-type (positive) semiconductor. An n-type semiconductor results from implanting dopant atoms that have more electrons in their outer (bonding) shell than silicon. The resulting semiconductor crystal contains excess, or free, electrons that are available for conducting current. A p-type semiconductor results from implanting dopant atoms…
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semiconductor deviceElectronic propertiesThis is a p-type semiconductor, with the boron constituting an acceptor.
Read MoreThis is a p-type semiconductor, with the boron constituting an acceptor.
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holeP-type (for excess positive charges) silicon results if the dopant is boron, which contains one electron fewer than a silicon atom. Each added boron atom creates a deficiency of one electron—that is, a positive hole.
Read MoreP-type (for excess positive charges) silicon results if the dopant is boron, which contains one electron fewer than a silicon atom. Each added boron atom creates a deficiency of one electron—that is, a positive hole.
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crystalConducting properties of semiconductorsA p-type semiconductor is one with a preponderance of holes; an n-type semiconductor has a preponderance of conduction electrons. The symbols p and n come from the sign of the charge of the particles: positive for holes and negative for electrons.
Read MoreA p-type semiconductor is one with a preponderance of holes; an n-type semiconductor has a preponderance of conduction electrons. The symbols p and n come from the sign of the charge of the particles: positive for holes and negative for electrons.
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