Semiconductor - Revision history

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Energy>Jmdonev at 19:25, 30 January 2020

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	[[File:Silicon_(14_Si).jpg\|360px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 1. Silicon is a type of semiconductor that is used frequently in solar panels.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''Silicon 14 Si'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Silicon_(14_Si).jpg</ref>]]		[[File:Silicon_(14_Si).jpg\|360px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 1. Silicon is a type of semiconductor that is used frequently in solar panels.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''Silicon 14 Si'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Silicon_(14_Si).jpg</ref>]]

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	The fact that semiconductors have four electrons in their [[Valence and core electrons\|valence shell]] means they form "perfect" covalent bonds with four neighbouring [[atom]]s. This creates a crystal lattice structure. In this pure lattice, no free electrons can conduct current. Because of this, a true semiconductor is formed when there are impurities in some crystal structure, and it is these impurities that give the material its distinct properties.<ref name="RE2">Marshall Brain. (August 24, 2015). ''Semiconductors'' [Online]. Available: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm</ref>		The fact that semiconductors have four electrons in their [[Valence and core electrons\|valence shell]] means they form "perfect" covalent bonds with four neighbouring [[atom]]s. This creates a crystal lattice structure. In this pure lattice, no free electrons can conduct current. Because of this, a true semiconductor is formed when there are impurities in some crystal structure, and it is these impurities that give the material its distinct properties.<ref name="RE2">Marshall Brain. (August 24, 2015). ''Semiconductors'' [Online]. Available: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm</ref>

	The specific properties of semiconductors depends strongly on their impurities or '''dopants'''.<ref name="RE1"/> N-type semiconductors carry current mainly in the form of negatively-charged electrons, while P-type semiconductors have [[charge carrier]]s known as [[electron hole]]s. These holes are positively charged. A small amount of either type of doping can turn a semiconducting crystal into a viable conductor - thus it is called a semiconductor.<ref name="RE2"/> For more on semiconductor doping, click [[doping\|here]].		The specific properties of semiconductors depends strongly on their impurities or '''[[doping\|dopants]]'''.<ref name="RE1"/> N-type semiconductors carry current mainly in the form of negatively-charged electrons, while P-type semiconductors have [[charge carrier]]s known as [[electron hole]]s. These holes are positively charged. A small amount of either type of doping can turn a semiconducting crystal into a viable conductor - thus it is called a semiconductor.<ref name="RE2"/> For more on semiconductor doping, click [[doping\|here]].

	Along with these properties, semiconductors tend to have a high number of atoms per unit [[volume]].		Along with these properties, semiconductors tend to have a high number of atoms per unit [[volume]].

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported: Doing upload, largely of old redirects.

2018-06-04T16:52:32Z

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Jmdonev at 21:50, 1 June 2018

2018-06-01T21:50:39Z

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	[[File:Silicon_(14_Si).jpg\|360px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 1. Silicon is a type of semiconductor that is used frequently in solar panels.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''Silicon 14 Si'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Silicon_(14_Si).jpg</ref>]]		[[File:Silicon_(14_Si).jpg\|360px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 1. Silicon is a type of semiconductor that is used frequently in solar panels.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''Silicon 14 Si'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Silicon_(14_Si).jpg</ref>]]

	<onlyinclude>A '''semiconductor''' is an [[element]] or compound that conducts [[electricity]] under some conditions but not others. This property of being neither a good [[insulator]] nor a good [[conductor]] makes semiconductors useful for controlling [[electric current]].</onlyinclude> The [[conductivity]] of a semiconductor depends on a variety of conditions, including applied [[voltage]] or current, or the intensity of the [[infrared radiation]], [[ultraviolet radiation]], or visible [[light]] on the surface.<ref name="RE1">Margaret Rouse. (August 24, 2015). ''What is a semiconductor?'' [Online]. Available: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/semiconductor</ref> This is why semiconductors are used to make [[photovoltaic system]]s.		<onlyinclude>A '''semiconductor''' is an [[element]] or compound that conducts [[electricity]] under some conditions but not others. This property of being neither a good [[insulator]] nor a good [[conductor]] makes semiconductors useful for controlling [[electric current]].</onlyinclude> The [[electrical conductivity]] of a semiconductor depends on a variety of conditions, including applied [[voltage]] or current, or the intensity of the [[infrared radiation]], [[ultraviolet radiation]], or visible [[light]] on the surface.<ref name="RE1">Margaret Rouse. (August 24, 2015). ''What is a semiconductor?'' [Online]. Available: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/semiconductor</ref> This is why semiconductors are used to make [[photovoltaic system]]s.

	There are many different elements that are semiconductors. Since these materials are neither prone to losing [[electron]]s (generating free electrons) nor gaining electrons, their [[Valence and core electrons\|valence shells]] tend to contain four electrons. Elemental semiconductors (materials with only one [[element]]) include [[antimony]], [[arsenic]], [[boron]], [[carbon]], [[germanium]], [[selenium]], [[silicon]], [[sulfur]], and [[tellurium]].<ref name="RE1"/> Silicon is the best known of these as they form the basis of a large number of [[electric circuit]]s.		There are many different elements that are semiconductors. Since these materials are neither prone to losing [[electron]]s (generating free electrons) nor gaining electrons, their [[Valence and core electrons\|valence shells]] tend to contain four electrons. Elemental semiconductors (materials with only one [[element]]) include [[antimony]], [[arsenic]], [[boron]], [[carbon]], [[germanium]], [[selenium]], [[silicon]], [[sulfur]], and [[tellurium]].<ref name="RE1"/> Silicon is the best known of these as they form the basis of a large number of [[electric circuit]]s.

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

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Jmdonev at 21:53, 9 May 2018

2018-05-09T21:53:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:53, 9 May 2018
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	[[Category:~~Done_2015~~-09-05]]		[[Category:Done 2018-04-30]]
	[[File:Silicon_(14_Si).jpg\|360px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 1. Silicon is a type of semiconductor that is used frequently in solar panels.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''Silicon 14 Si'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Silicon_(14_Si).jpg</ref>]]		[[File:Silicon_(14_Si).jpg\|360px\|thumb\|right\|Figure 1. Silicon is a type of semiconductor that is used frequently in solar panels.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''Silicon 14 Si'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Silicon_(14_Si).jpg</ref>]]

	<onlyinclude>A '''semiconductor''' is an [[element]] or compound that conducts [[electricity]] under some conditions but not others. This property of being neither a good [[insulator]] nor a good [[conductor]] makes semiconductors useful for controlling ~~electrical~~ [[current]].</onlyinclude> The [[conductivity]] of a semiconductor depends on a variety of conditions, including applied [[voltage]] or current, or the intensity of the [[infrared radiation]], [[ultraviolet radiation]], or visible [[light]] on the surface.<ref name="RE1">Margaret Rouse. (August 24, 2015). ''What is a semiconductor?'' [Online]. Available: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/semiconductor</ref> This is why semiconductors are used to make [[photovoltaic system]]s.		<onlyinclude>A '''semiconductor''' is an [[element]] or compound that conducts [[electricity]] under some conditions but not others. This property of being neither a good [[insulator]] nor a good [[conductor]] makes semiconductors useful for controlling [[electric current]].</onlyinclude> The [[conductivity]] of a semiconductor depends on a variety of conditions, including applied [[voltage]] or current, or the intensity of the [[infrared radiation]], [[ultraviolet radiation]], or visible [[light]] on the surface.<ref name="RE1">Margaret Rouse. (August 24, 2015). ''What is a semiconductor?'' [Online]. Available: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/semiconductor</ref> This is why semiconductors are used to make [[photovoltaic system]]s.

	There are many different elements that are semiconductors. Since these materials are neither prone to losing [[electron]]s (generating free electrons) nor gaining electrons, their [[Valence and core electrons\|valence shells]] tend to contain four electrons. Elemental semiconductors (materials with only one [[element]]) include [[antimony]], [[arsenic]], [[boron]], [[carbon]], [[germanium]], [[selenium]], [[silicon]], [[sulfur]], and [[tellurium]].<ref name="RE1"/> Silicon is the best known of these as they form the basis of a large number of [[circuit]]s.		There are many different elements that are semiconductors. Since these materials are neither prone to losing [[electron]]s (generating free electrons) nor gaining electrons, their [[Valence and core electrons\|valence shells]] tend to contain four electrons. Elemental semiconductors (materials with only one [[element]]) include [[antimony]], [[arsenic]], [[boron]], [[carbon]], [[germanium]], [[selenium]], [[silicon]], [[sulfur]], and [[tellurium]].<ref name="RE1"/> Silicon is the best known of these as they form the basis of a large number of [[electric circuit]]s.

	==Properties==		==Properties==
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	==Uses==		==Uses==
	[[File:I386SX.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 2. A microprocessing chip contains many ~~transistors~~, composed of semiconducting materials.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''I386SX'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/I386SX.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:I386SX.jpg\|400px\|framed\|right\|Figure 2. A microprocessing chip contains many [[transistor]]s, composed of semiconducting materials.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''I386SX'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/I386SX.jpg</ref>]]

	[[Diode]]s are the simplest devices that can be made with semiconductors. In diodes, current is able to flow in one direction but not the other. This device is formed when a P-type and an N-type semiconductor are put together. The combination of these semiconductors does not itself conduct electricity. Instead, negative electrons from one side are attracted to the positive terminal of a battery and current can flow when a [[battery]] is attached. However, if the battery is flipped and hooked up in the opposite direction, no current flows because there is no movement of electrons across the P-N junction because the electrons move straight through the wire to the battery instead of crossing the gap.<ref name="RE2"/> For more in-depth information on the operation of diodes, click [[diode operation\|here]].		[[Diode]]s are the simplest devices that can be made with semiconductors. In diodes, current is able to flow in one direction but not the other. This device is formed when a P-type and an N-type semiconductor are put together. The combination of these semiconductors does not itself conduct electricity. Instead, negative electrons from one side are attracted to the positive terminal of a battery and current can flow when a [[battery]] is attached. However, if the battery is flipped and hooked up in the opposite direction, no current flows because there is no movement of electrons across the P-N junction because the electrons move straight through the wire to the battery instead of crossing the gap.<ref name="RE2"/> For more in-depth information on the operation of diodes, click [[diode operation\|here]].
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	[[Transistor]]s are another device that use semiconductors. In transistors, there are three layers of semiconducting material that create a "sandwich" with two similar types of semiconductor (N-type or P-type) surrounding a semiconducting material of the other type. When in a circuit, no current flows through a transistor as two back-to-back diodes block current in both directions. However, when a small current is applied to the centre of a transistor, current through the whole sandwich can flow. Thus transistors act as a "switch".<ref name="RE2"/>		[[Transistor]]s are another device that use semiconductors. In transistors, there are three layers of semiconducting material that create a "sandwich" with two similar types of semiconductor (N-type or P-type) surrounding a semiconducting material of the other type. When in a circuit, no current flows through a transistor as two back-to-back diodes block current in both directions. However, when a small current is applied to the centre of a transistor, current through the whole sandwich can flow. Thus transistors act as a "switch".<ref name="RE2"/>

	Transistors are used widely in microprocessor chips, and are found in ~~mobile phones~~ and computers.		Transistors are used widely in microprocessor chips, and are found in [[cell phone]]s and computers.

			== For Further Reading ==
			For further information please see the related pages below:
			*[[Conductor]]
			*[[Metal]]
			*[[Photovoltaic cell]]
			*[[AC to DC adapter]]
			* Or explore a [[Special:Random\| random page!]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-09-03T18:21:52Z

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Jmdonev at 18:01, 26 August 2015

2015-08-26T18:01:25Z

New page

[[Category:Done_2015-09-05]]
[[File:Silicon_(14_Si).jpg|360px|thumb|right|Figure 1. Silicon is a type of semiconductor that is used frequently in solar panels.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''Silicon 14 Si'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Silicon_(14_Si).jpg</ref>]]

<onlyinclude>A '''semiconductor''' is an [[element]] or compound that conducts [[electricity]] under some conditions but not others. This property of being neither a good [[insulator]] nor a good [[conductor]] makes semiconductors useful for controlling electrical [[current]].</onlyinclude> The [[conductivity]] of a semiconductor depends on a variety of conditions, including applied [[voltage]] or current, or the intensity of the [[infrared radiation]], [[ultraviolet radiation]], or visible [[light]] on the surface.<ref name="RE1">Margaret Rouse. (August 24, 2015). ''What is a semiconductor?'' [Online]. Available: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/semiconductor</ref> This is why semiconductors are used to make [[photovoltaic system]]s.

There are many different elements that are semiconductors. Since these materials are neither prone to losing [[electron]]s (generating free electrons) nor gaining electrons, their [[Valence and core electrons|valence shells]] tend to contain four electrons. Elemental semiconductors (materials with only one [[element]]) include [[antimony]], [[arsenic]], [[boron]], [[carbon]], [[germanium]], [[selenium]], [[silicon]], [[sulfur]], and [[tellurium]].<ref name="RE1"/> Silicon is the best known of these as they form the basis of a large number of [[circuit]]s.

==Properties==
The fact that semiconductors have four electrons in their [[Valence and core electrons|valence shell]] means they form "perfect" covalent bonds with four neighbouring [[atom]]s. This creates a crystal lattice structure. In this pure lattice, no free electrons can conduct current. Because of this, a true semiconductor is formed when there are impurities in some crystal structure, and it is these impurities that give the material its distinct properties.<ref name="RE2">Marshall Brain. (August 24, 2015). ''Semiconductors'' [Online]. Available: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm</ref>

The specific properties of semiconductors depends strongly on their impurities or '''dopants'''.<ref name="RE1"/> N-type semiconductors carry current mainly in the form of negatively-charged electrons, while P-type semiconductors have [[charge carrier]]s known as [[electron hole]]s. These holes are positively charged. A small amount of either type of doping can turn a semiconducting crystal into a viable conductor - thus it is called a semiconductor.<ref name="RE2"/> For more on semiconductor doping, click [[doping|here]].

Along with these properties, semiconductors tend to have a high number of atoms per unit [[volume]].

==Uses==
[[File:I386SX.jpg|400px|framed|right|Figure 2. A microprocessing chip contains many transistors, composed of semiconducting materials.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (August 24, 2015). ''I386SX'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/I386SX.jpg</ref>]]

[[Diode]]s are the simplest devices that can be made with semiconductors. In diodes, current is able to flow in one direction but not the other. This device is formed when a P-type and an N-type semiconductor are put together. The combination of these semiconductors does not itself conduct electricity. Instead, negative electrons from one side are attracted to the positive terminal of a battery and current can flow when a [[battery]] is attached. However, if the battery is flipped and hooked up in the opposite direction, no current flows because there is no movement of electrons across the P-N junction because the electrons move straight through the wire to the battery instead of crossing the gap.<ref name="RE2"/> For more in-depth information on the operation of diodes, click [[diode operation|here]].

Diodes are used in many circuits, as well as being a component of [[light emitting diode]]s that are being used more and more in residential lighting. Another major use of a P-N junction and semiconductors is in [[photovoltaic cell]]s, the main component of [[solar panel]]s. These solar cells are what allows [[solar energy]] from the [[Sun]] to be converted into electricity.

[[Transistor]]s are another device that use semiconductors. In transistors, there are three layers of semiconducting material that create a "sandwich" with two similar types of semiconductor (N-type or P-type) surrounding a semiconducting material of the other type. When in a circuit, no current flows through a transistor as two back-to-back diodes block current in both directions. However, when a small current is applied to the centre of a transistor, current through the whole sandwich can flow. Thus transistors act as a "switch".<ref name="RE2"/>

Transistors are used widely in microprocessor chips, and are found in mobile phones and computers.
==References==
{{reflist}}