Question

If we mix a pentavalent impurity in a crystal lattice of germanium, what type of semiconductor formation will occur?

• A. p-type
• B. n-type
• C. Both A and B
• D. None of the the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B n-type

Silicon and germanium belong to group 14 of the periodic table and have four valence electrons each. In their crystals each atom forms four covalent bonds with its neighbours. When doped with a group 15 element like P or As, which contains five valence electrons, they occupy some of the lattice sites in silicon or germanium crystal. Four out of five electrons are used in the formation of four covalent bonds with the four neighbouring silicon atoms. The fifth electron is extra and becomes delocalised.These delocalised electrons increase the conductivity of doped silicon(or germanium). Here the increase in conductivity is due to the negatively charged electron, hence silicon doped with electron-rich impurity is called n-type semiconductor.