Chapter Overview

Electronic circuits used to be based on the flow of electrons in devices called vacuum tubes. Today, almost all electronic circuits are based on current flow in semiconductors. The term “solid state” means that semiconducting crystals are being used to get the job done. The mechanics of current flow in semiconductors is different from that in conductors. Some current carriers are not electrons. High temperatures create additional carriers in semiconductors. These are important differences between semiconductors and conductors. The transistor is considered to be one of the most important developments of all time. It is a semiconductor device. Diodes and integrated circuits are also semiconductors. This chapter covers the basic properties of semiconductors.

This chapter will help you to:

1. Identify some common electronic materials as conductors or semiconductors.

2. Predict the effect of temperature on conductors.

3. Predict the effect of temperature on semiconductors.

4. Show the directions of electron and hole currents in semiconductors.

5. Identify the majority and minority carriers in N-type semiconductors.

6. Identify the majority and minority carriers in P-type semiconductors.

Study Outline

2-1 Conductors and Insulators

2-2 Semiconductors

2-3 N-Type Semiconductors

2-4 P-Type Semiconductors

2-5 Majority and Minority Carriers

2-6 Other Materials