What is a Schottky barrier or contact?

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A Schottky barrier or contact is formed when a metal directly contacts a semiconductor, such as Germanium, creating a Schottky diode. Unlike a standard diode, which is made from a junction of P-type and N-type semiconductors, a Schottky diode involves a metal-semiconductor junction. These diodes are known for their speed and lower forward voltage drop compared to traditional PN diodes. Understanding Schottky barriers in depth requires knowledge of semiconductor physics, making simple explanations challenging. Overall, Schottky diodes play a crucial role in electronic applications due to their unique properties.
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I looked at many websites including wikipedia and videos on youtube but I found them all very complicated and many contained diagrams that did not make sense to me. What is a Schottky barrier or contact in simplest form so that a 17 year old high school physics student can understand?

Thanks
 
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The simple example would be the application of a Cat Whisker Diode of a crystal radio. A metal contact directly in contact with a semiconductor material like Germanium. Hot carrier diode.
 
A "normal" diode is a junction between a P type and an N type semiconductor material.
A Schottky diode is a junction between a metal and either an N type or a P type semiconductor material.
Schottky diodes are fast and usually have a lower forward voltage drop than PN diodes.

Beyond that, there is no simple explanation without a course in semiconductor physics.
 

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