Definition
A material whose electrical conductivity can be controlled by changing its mobile electron and hole populations, for example through doping or illumination. Common semiconductors have valence and conduction bands separated by a bandgap.
Application
Used as the active material in transistors and diodes that control electrical signals, and in photodetectors that convert light into an electrical response.
Related concepts
Evidence and further reading
- Evidence from ocw.mit.eduhttps://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-013-electromagnetics-and-applications-spring-2009/d3be4ea78b036a6362230fb41780cf54_MIT6_013S09_notes.pdf
- Evidence from nist.govhttps://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2020/02/how-low-can-you-go-lower-ever