Amateur ExtraE6A04
What is the name given to an impurity atom that adds holes to a semiconductor crystal structure?
C
Answer
Components and circuit devices
Type
A
Insulator impurity
B
N-type impurity
C
Acceptor impurity
D
Donor impurity
Answer Notes
In semiconductor physics, doping is the process of adding specific impurity atoms to a pure crystal lattice to change its electrical properties. When an impurity atom has fewer valence electrons than the semiconductor atoms (such as boron added to silicon), it creates a missing electron in the crystal structure, known as a 'hole'.
Because this hole can easily 'accept' an electron from a neighboring atom to complete the bond, this type of impurity is called an acceptor impurity. The presence of these holes makes the material 'P-type' (positive).
Conversely, a 'donor' impurity has extra valence electrons and donates them to the crystal, creating 'N-type' (negative) material. Remembering that acceptors accept electrons (leaving holes) helps distinguish the two.
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Why does a PN-junction diode not conduct current when reverse biased?
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