There are two type of Semiconductors:
- N type Semiconductor :
When we add a minute quantity of pentavalent impurity to a pure semiconductor, then a semiconductor crystal is formed and is known as N type of semiconductor.
The combination of pentavalent type impurity to a pure semiconductor offers the availability of a large quantity of free electrons in the N type semiconductor crystal. It means that the N type of semiconductors have a larger electron concentration. Examples of pentavalent impurities are Arsenic and Antimony.
The Pentavalent impurities are also called ‘Donar Impurity’. They are called so because they donate/supply free electrons to the pure semiconductor to make it N type of semiconductor.
Do you know why the semiconductor which is produced by donar impurities are called as N type of Semiconductor?? Does ‘N means negatively charged? Do not confuse yourself. The N type semiconductor does not possesses negative charge. They are called as N type of semiconductors because the majority of the charge carriers present in this type of semiconductor causing the flow of current are free electrons which are negatively charged.
- P type Semiconductor :
When we add a minute quantity of trivalent impurity to a pure semiconductor, then a semiconductor crystal is formed and is known as P type of semiconductor.
The combination of trivalent impurity with a pure semiconductor offers the availability of a large quantity of holes in the P type semiconductor crystal. Examples of trivalent impurities are Gallium and Indium. Such impurities which produce P type of semiconductors are known as acceptor impurities because the holes created can accept the electrons.
The Trivalent impurities are also called ‘Acceptor Impurity’. They are called so because they accept the electron and form holes to make it P type of semiconductor.
They are called as P type of semiconductors because the majority of the charge carriers present in this type of semiconductor causing the flow of current are holes which are positively charged. Just opposite to the N type of semiconductors, P type of semiconductors have a larger hole concentration than electron concentration.
