Conductivity of Semiconductors

Conductivity of Semiconductors
Now let’s consider the conductivity of semiconductors.

Consider silicon which, like carbon, has the diamond cubic cyrstal structure. The valance electrons are all covalently bonded in sp³ orbitals. These orbitals are completely filled. However, in this case, the next available energy level (in the Conduction Band) is 1.1 eV above the highest occupied level.

The energy picture of an semiconductor: the valance band is completely filled. Here there is a small energy gap between the highest level in the Valance Band and the next allowable energy level which is in the Conduction Band.

The energy picture of an semiconductor: the valance band is completely filled. Here there is a small energy gap between the highest level in the Valance Band and the next allowable energy level which is in the Conduction Band.

So the picture is exactly the same as that for the insulating materials, except that the the size of the energy gap is smaller. Hence for Si, with an energy gap of 1.1 eV, at room temperature some electrons will be promoted into the conduction band which accounts for its intermediate value of conductivity. Furthermore, for every electron promoted into the conduction band, a "hole" is left in the valance band!

Picture shows a hole in the valance band for every electron promoted into the conduction band.

Picture shows a hole in the valance band for every electron promoted into the conduction band.

These holes are also considered to be charge carriers. So there are two types of carriers for electrical conduction: electrons and holes. Electrons are called n-type carriers (for negative) and holes are called p-type carriers (for positive).

For intrinsic semiconductors (no impurities), the number of electrons will be equal to the number of holes.

n_e = n_h

Thus, the conductivity for an intrinsic semiconductor can be calculated:

sigma = n_e q m_e + n_h q m_h

And since n_e = n_h the conductivity for an intrisic semiconductor is given by this equation:

sigma = n_i q (m_e + m_h)

where i stands for intrinsic carrier concentration.

Overall Conclusion on the Conductivity of Semiconductors:
Semiconductors are semi-good electrical conductors because although their valence band is completely filled, the energy gap between the valance band and the conduction band is not too large. Hence some electrons can bridge it to become charge carriers. The difference between a semiconductors and an insulator is the magnitude of the energy gap. For semiconductors E_g < 2eV and for Insulators E_g > 2eV.

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