Question

Explain the characteristics of following semiconductors.
(a) n-type
(b) p-type

Answer 1

(A) In n-type semiconductor, the semiconductor is doped with pentavalent impurity. The electrons are majority carriers and holes are minority carriers
In energy band diagram of n-type semiconductor, the donor energy level is slightly below the bottom of conduction band and thus, the electron can move to conduction band, even with small supply of energy.

(B) In p-type semiconductor, the semiconductor is doped with trivalent impurity. The holes are the majority carriers and electrons are the minority carriers. In energy band diagram of p-type, the acceptor energy level is slightly above the top of valence band.