Semiconductors | The Building Blocks of Modern Technology

Basics of Semiconductors

Overview

Semiconductors are at the heart of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to cars, medical devices, and advanced AI systems. Acting as the foundation of microchips and integrated circuits, they enable the processing, storage, and transfer of information that drives today’s digital world. Without semiconductors, innovations like 5G, cloud computing, and smart devices would not be possible.

This blog explores the science behind semiconductors, their role in shaping industries, and why they remain the building blocks of our connected future.

History of Semiconductors

The history of semiconductors dates back to the early 20th century, with breakthroughs in materials science leading to the invention of the transistor in 1947 - ushering in the era of modern electronics.

1. Discovery of First Semiconductor

   
   

   The discovery of semiconductor can be traced back to the early 1800s when researchers discovered that some materials could conduct electricity better than others. However, it wasn't until the 1940s that the first practical semiconductor device, the point-contact transistor, was invented by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley at Bell Labs.

2. Evolution Of Integrated Circuit (IC)

   
   

   The point-contact transistor was the beginning of the semiconductor revolution, leading to the development of the integrated circuit, which is the foundation of modern computing.

How Semiconductors Work

Semiconductors control the flow of electricity by adjusting their conductivity under different conditions. This unique property makes them essential for creating transistors, diodes, and modern electronic devices.

1. Bandgap in Semiconductors

   
   

   Semiconductors have unique electrical properties that make them ideal for use in electronic devices. The most important of these properties is the bandgap, which is the energy difference between the valence band (where electrons are tightly bound to atoms) and the conduction band (where electrons can move freely).

2. Semiconductors Compared to Conductors & Insulators

   
   

   In an insulator, the bandgap is too large for electrons to be excited into the conduction band, while in a conductor, the bandgap is too small, and electrons can move freely between atoms. In a semiconductor, the bandgap is small enough that electrons can be excited into the conduction band with the right amount of energy.

3. Semiconductors: Driving Switching and Amplification

   
   

   This property allows semiconductors to be used as switches and amplifiers. When a voltage is applied to a semiconductor material, it can cause electrons to move from the valence band to the conduction band, allowing current to flow through the material. By controlling the voltage applied, we can control the flow of current, allowing us to create logic gates and other electronic components.

Types of Semiconductors

There are two main types of semiconductors: Intrinsic and Extrinsic:

1. Intrinsic semiconductors

   
   

   Intrinsic semiconductors are pure materials, such as silicon or germanium, with no impurities. These materials have a small number of free electrons in their valence band that can be excited into the conduction band, allowing them to conduct electricity.
   

2. Extrinsic semiconductors

   
   

   Extrinsic semiconductors are materials that have been doped with impurities to increase their electrical conductivity. This process involves adding small amounts of atoms of another element, such as boron or phosphorus, to the semiconductor material. This changes the number of electrons in the valence band and the conduction band, altering the material's electrical properties.

Process of making semiconductors

Creating a semiconductor chip involves steps like lithography, doping, and etching:

• Lithography: Lithography involves using light to transfer a pattern onto the semiconductor material.
  

• Doping: Doping involves adding impurities to create regions of differing conductivity.

  
  

• Etching: Etching involves removing parts of the semiconductor material to create the desired pattern.

Applications of Semiconductors

Semiconductors are used in a wide range of electronic devices, from smartphones to computers to solar panels.

Some of the most common applications of semiconductors include:

1. Computer processors: The integrated circuit, made up of millions of transistors, is the basis of modern computing.
   

2. Solar panels: Solar cells use semiconductors to convert sunlight into electricity.
   

3. LED lighting: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are made from semiconductors and are used in energy-efficient lighting.
   

4. Communication systems: Semiconductors are used in radio and television receivers and transmitters, as well as in cell phones and other wireless devices.
   

5. Medical devices: Semiconductors are used in a wide range of medical devices, including pacemakers and X-ray machines.

Printed Circuit Board

Closing Notes | Semiconductors

Semiconductors are a crucial component of modern electronics, enabling the creation of advanced computing devices, communication systems, renewable energy sources, and more. As technology continues to advance, semiconductors will play an increasingly important role in shaping our world.

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