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Conductivity in semiconductors is determined by the concentration and mobility of charge carriers, defined by the equation σ = q(nμ + pμ). Mobility indicates how quickly charge carriers move under an electric field and is influenced by temperature and impurities. The effects of doping can enhance conductivity and alter mobility, which is essential for designing semiconductor devices.

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2 views1 page

1726646743

Conductivity in semiconductors is determined by the concentration and mobility of charge carriers, defined by the equation σ = q(nμ + pμ). Mobility indicates how quickly charge carriers move under an electric field and is influenced by temperature and impurities. The effects of doping can enhance conductivity and alter mobility, which is essential for designing semiconductor devices.

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ipsit9009
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Conductivity and Mobility in Semiconductors

Conductivity (σ): Conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct electric current. In


semiconductors, conductivity is influenced by the concentration of charge carriers (electrons and
holes) and their mobility. It is defined by the equation:
Σ = q(n𝜇 +p𝜇 )
where:
q is the charge of the carriers,
n is the concentration of electrons,
p is the concentration of holes,
𝜇 is the mobility of electrons,
𝜇 is the mobility of holes.
In intrinsic (pure) semiconductors, the number of electrons equals the number of holes, leading
to n = p. In extrinsic (doped) semiconductors, the conductivity can vary significantly based on
the type and concentration of dopants.

Mobility (μ): Mobility refers to how quickly charge carriers can move through a semiconductor
when an electric field is applied. It is defined as:
Μ=
where:
𝑣 is the drift velocity of the charge carriers,
E is the electric field strength.
Mobility is affected by various factors, including temperature and the presence of impurities or
defects within the semiconductor lattice. Generally, as temperature increases, mobility decreases
due to increased scattering events among charge carriers.

Key Points
Charge Carrier Types: Electrons (negative charge carriers) and holes (positive charge carriers)
contribute to conductivity.
Temperature Dependence: Higher temperatures can increase intrinsic carrier concentration but
reduce mobility due to scattering.
Doping Effects: Doping can significantly enhance conductivity by increasing the number of
charge carriers, while also impacting mobility depending on the dopant type.
Applications: Understanding conductivity and mobility is crucial for the design and
optimization of semiconductor devices like diodes, transistors and solar cells.

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