Why do extrinsic semiconductors behave intrinsically at high temperatures?

In summary, intrinsic semiconductors are pure materials with an equal number of electrons and holes, while extrinsic semiconductors have impurities that create an imbalance in the number of electrons and holes. At high temperatures, extrinsic semiconductors behave similarly to intrinsic semiconductors due to the thermal energy ionizing the impurities. The concentration of impurities is the main factor that affects the behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures. Extrinsic semiconductors cannot behave intrinsically at room temperature due to insufficient thermal energy. The behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures makes them useful in electronic devices, as it allows for precise control and manipulation of electrical properties.
  • #1
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Is it because at high temperatures quasi-all electrons due to the doping are in the conduction band such that only the intrinsic behaviour is left?

Or is it something else?
 
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  • #2
At high temperature the number of electrons in the conduction band (and holes in the valence band) due to thermal excitations (Fermi-Dirac statistics) is much larger than the number due to doping. You can then neglect the extra doped electrons/holes which takes you back to the intrinsic behavior.

The criteria for this should be kT >> | E_F,intrinsic - E_F,doped |
 

1. What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors?

Intrinsic semiconductors are pure materials, such as silicon or germanium, that have an equal number of electrons and holes, making them electrically neutral. Extrinsic semiconductors have impurities added to them, which creates an imbalance in the number of electrons and holes, making them electrically conductive.

2. Why do extrinsic semiconductors behave intrinsically at high temperatures?

At high temperatures, the thermal energy in the extrinsic semiconductor causes the impurities to become ionized, creating extra electrons or holes and restoring the balance between the two. This results in the extrinsic semiconductor behaving similarly to an intrinsic semiconductor.

3. What is the main factor that affects the behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures?

The concentration of impurities is the main factor that affects the behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures. Higher concentrations of impurities result in a greater number of ionized atoms and a stronger extrinsic behavior.

4. Can extrinsic semiconductors ever behave intrinsically at room temperature?

No, at room temperature, the thermal energy is not high enough to significantly ionize the impurities in extrinsic semiconductors. Therefore, they will not behave intrinsically at room temperature.

5. How does the behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures impact their use in electronic devices?

The behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures is beneficial in electronic devices because it allows for more precise control and manipulation of the electrical properties. This makes extrinsic semiconductors useful in applications such as transistors, diodes, and sensors.

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