Semiconductor

A semiconductor is a material whose electrical conductivity falls between that of a conductor and an insulator. Semiconductors have unique properties that allow them to conduct electricity under certain conditions, making them essential for modern electronics. They can be doped with impurities to create regions of different electrical charge, which enables the control of electrical currents.

Common examples of semiconductors include:

• Silicon (Si) – Widely used in transistors and solar cells.
• Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) – Used in high-frequency applications like microwave frequency integrated circuits.
• Germanium (Ge) – Historically used in early transistors and still used in some high-speed applications.

Applications of semiconductors include:

• Transistors – Used in amplifiers and digital circuits.
• Diodes – Used in rectifiers and signal modulation.
• Integrated Circuits (ICs) – Found in virtually all modern electronic devices, including computers and smartphones.