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What is the Charge on n-type and p-type Semiconductors?

What is the Charge on n-type and p-type Semiconductors?

Answers

Wilfred
- In n-type semiconductor, current conduction is due to excess of electrons whereas in a p-type semiconductor, conduction is by holes. The reader may think that n-type material has a net negative charge and p-type a net positive charge. But this conclusion is wrong. It is true that n-type semiconductor has excess of electrons but these extra electrons were supplied by the atoms of donor impurity and each atom of donor impurity is electrically neutral. When the impurity atom is added, the term ?excess electrons? refers to an excess with regard to the number of electrons needed to fill the covalent bonds in the semiconductor crystal. The extra electrons are free electrons and increase the conductivity of the semiconductor. The situation with regard to p-type semiconductor is also similar.
- It follows, therefore, that n-type as well as p-type semiconductor is electrically neutral.
Wilfykil answered the question on August 14, 2019 at 05:22

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