Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits

Materials are classified based on electrical

Materials are classified based on electrical conductivity: Metals (σ ~ 10² - 10⁸ S/m), Semiconductors (σ ~ 10⁻⁶ - 10⁵ S/m), and Insulators (σ ~ 10⁻¹⁹

Pure semiconductors like Silicon (Si)

Pure semiconductors like Silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge) where atoms form covalent bonds. At absolute zero, all electrons are bound. With thermal ener

Doped semiconductors created by adding impurities

Doped semiconductors created by adding impurities. N-type: Doped with pentavalent atoms (P, As, Sb) providing extra electrons (ne >> nh). P-type: Dope

When p

When p-type and n-type materials are joined, electrons diffuse from n to p region and holes from p to n region. This creates a depletion region with i

Forward bias

Forward bias: p-side positive, n-side negative, reduces barrier height, allows significant current flow (mA range). Reverse bias: p-side negative, n-s