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Which dopants create p-type silicon?
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semiconductor device
Typical range of conductivities for insulators, semiconductors, and conductors.
To create p-type silicon, the material is doped with elements that have only three electrons available for bonding, which is fewer than the four electrons found in silicon atoms. These impurities are known as acceptor atoms.12
The most common dopants used to create p-type silicon include:
- Boron1
- Indium1
When these atoms are introduced into the silicon crystal lattice, they create a positively charged site known as a hole. Because these holes represent a lack of electrons in the bonding structure, they allow for the conduction of positive charges through the material.12