What you need to know about semiconductors

Semiconductors are a class of materials with special electrical properties that lie between those of conductors and insulators. They enable precise control of the electrical current and are therefore essential for modern electronic applications. The most important semiconductor materials are silicon and germanium, which belong to the fourth main group of the periodic table.

The electrical conductivity of semiconductors can be influenced by doping, i.e. the targeted introduction of foreign atoms. This results in n-doped (excess electrons) or p-doped (lack of electrons) semiconductors. This property is fundamental to the manufacture of semiconductor components such as diodes, transistors and integrated circuits.

In microelectronics, semiconductors are used to manufacture processors, memory chips and other complex electronic components. They also play an important role in optoelectronics, for example in the manufacture of LEDs, solar cells and lasers. The semiconductor industry is a key sector of the modern economy and drives technological innovation in many areas, including information technology, energy generation and communication.

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

• Semiconductors are materials that exhibit electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators.
• The basic properties of semiconductors include their band structure, charge carrier density and mobility.
• Semiconductors are used in technology in the form of transistors, diodes, solar cells and semiconductor lasers.
• Compared to conductors and insulators, semiconductors have specific differences in terms of their electrical properties.
• The future prospects for semiconductors include the development of ever smaller and more powerful components as well as integration into new technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.

Basic properties of semiconductors

The electrical properties of semiconductors are determined by their band structure. In a semiconductor, there is a so-called valence band, in which the electrons are normally located, and a conduction band, which can accept electrons when they are supplied with energy. The energy gap between the valence band and the conduction band determines the electrical properties of the semiconductor.

If this gap is small, electrons can easily pass from the valence band to the conduction band and the semiconductor behaves like a conductor. If the gap is large, it is difficult for electrons to enter the conduction band and the semiconductor behaves like an insulator. Another important concept in semiconductor physics is the charge carrier density.

In pure semiconductors, the charge carriers are mainly electrons and holes, which are generated by thermal excitation. Additional charge carriers can be generated by doping with foreign atoms, which increases the conductivity of the semiconductor. The mobility of the charge carriers is also an important parameter that indicates how fast the charge carriers can move in the material.

These fundamental properties of semiconductors are crucial for their applications in technology.

Applications of semiconductors in technology

Semiconductors have become an integral part of modern technology and can be found in a wide range of applications. One of the most important areas of application is electronics, where semiconductors are used in the form of transistors and integrated circuits. Transistors are electronic components that act as switches or amplifiers and form the basis for digital electronics.

Integrated circuits consist of a large number of transistors and other components that are integrated on a single chip and can perform a variety of functions. Another important area of application for semiconductors is photovoltaics, where they are used in solar cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy. The photoelectric effect allows electrons to be generated in the semiconductor material when light falls on it.

These electrons can then be utilised as electricity. The development of efficient and cost-effective solar cells based on semiconductors is an important step towards a sustainable energy supply. Semiconductors are also used in optoelectronics, where they are used to generate and detect light.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes are examples of optoelectronic components based on semiconductor technology. They are used in lighting applications, displays, optical sensors and communication technologies. The diverse applications of semiconductors in technology make them an indispensable part of our modern lives.

Differences between semiconductors and other materials

Semiconductors differ from both conductors and insulators in their electrical properties. In contrast to conductors, semiconductors have a higher electrical conductivity than insulators, but a lower one than conductors. This is due to their band structure, which enables electrons to move from the valence band to the conduction band as required.

In contrast, conductors have a small energy gap between the valence and conduction band, which allows electrons to flow easily. Insulators, on the other hand, have a large energy gap, which makes it more difficult for electrons to enter the conduction band. Another important difference between semiconductors and other materials is their sensitivity to doping.

By adding small amounts of foreign atoms, the electrical properties of semiconductors can be changed in a targeted manner. This makes it possible to customise semiconductors for specific applications and makes them extremely versatile materials in technology. In contrast, conductors and insulators do not have a comparable sensitivity to doping and therefore cannot be adapted so easily to different requirements.

Future prospects for semiconductors

Increasing demand for high-performance semiconductors

With the advent of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G communication, the demand for high-performance and energy-efficient semiconductor components will continue to increase. This opens up new opportunities for the development of advanced materials and manufacturing technologies for semiconductors.

Future semiconductor materials

A promising approach for future semiconductor materials is research into 2D materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides. These materials have unique electrical and optical properties that make them particularly interesting for applications in electronics and optoelectronics.

New areas of application

In addition, the integration of semiconductors into flexible and printed electronics will open up new possibilities for wearable devices, wearables and smart sensor networks.

Challenges and developments in the semiconductor industry

The semiconductor industry is facing a number of challenges, including increasing demands on the miniaturisation of components, rising production costs and growing environmental pollution due to the use of hazardous chemicals in production. In order to meet these challenges, continuous Developments in materials research, process technology and production engineering. One promising development in the semiconductor industry is the introduction of new manufacturing technologies such as EUV lithography (extreme ultraviolet lithography) and 3D integration techniques.

These technologies make it possible to produce ever smaller structures on the chips and further increase the performance of the components. In addition, the development of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and recycling technologies will help to reduce the environmental impact of semiconductor production.

The importance of semiconductors for modern society

Semiconductors play a crucial role in modern society and have an enormous impact on our daily lives. They are indispensable components of smartphones, computers, household appliances, vehicles, medical devices and many other technological applications. Without semiconductors, our modern world would be unimaginable.

Semiconductors also contribute to economic development by creating jobs, driving innovation and creating new business opportunities. The continuous development of semiconductor technologies has helped to bring ever more powerful and cost-effective products onto the market, which in turn drives economic growth. Overall, the importance of semiconductors to modern society should not be underestimated and their role will continue to be recognised in the future. The future will continue to increase as new technologies are developed and more and more areas of our lives are digitised.