n-type doping question (1 Viewer)

124

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
170
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
Hi, if adding group 3 such as boron and make it p-type it will become more conductive because more free positively charged holes.

What if add group 5 such as phosphorus more free electrons what happens with the conductivity?

Thanks in advance :)
 

deswa1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
2,256
Gender
Male
HSC
2012
N type-> more electrons -> get added to a donor level right below the conduction band -> the energy gap between this and conduction band is tiny so very small amounts of thermal energy allow promotion to conduction band where they conduct-> therefore greater conductive properties.

Two very important things:
1. N type semiconductors are NOT negatively charged, they are still neutral.
2. Positive holes still carry charge like an intrinsic conductor, its just that electrons become the primary charge carriers
 

deswa4

New Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
20
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
N type-> more electrons -> get added to a donor level right below the conduction band -> the energy gap between this and conduction band is tiny so very small amounts of thermal energy allow promotion to conduction band where they conduct-> therefore greater conductive properties.

Two very important things:
1. N type semiconductors are NOT negatively charged, they are still neutral.
2. Positive holes still carry charge like an intrinsic conductor, its just that electrons become the primary charge carriers
This is such a perfect response!
 

124

Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
170
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
So what is the difference in conductivity for p-type and n-type? Is it n-type has a donor level to store more electrons but p-type has acceptor level
 

someth1ng

Retired Nov '14
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
5,558
Location
Adelaide, Australia
Gender
Male
HSC
2012
Uni Grad
2021
For p-type, there are positive "holes" charge carriers in the valence band that is able to move and hence, decrease resistivity. In n-type, there are excess in negative electrons which are in the conduction band and hence, decrease resistivity.

Note: doping doesn't necessarily decrease resistivity - it applies in this case but not always true for all semiconductors.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top