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Lecture 2

The document provides an introduction to electronics, focusing on the structure of an atom, the differences between insulators, conductors, and semiconductors, and the formation of pn junctions. It explains key concepts such as the Bohr model, ionization, and the properties of n-type and p-type semiconductors. The document also discusses the movement of charge carriers in semiconductors and the significance of doping in enhancing conductivity.

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Mona Sayed
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11 views18 pages

Lecture 2

The document provides an introduction to electronics, focusing on the structure of an atom, the differences between insulators, conductors, and semiconductors, and the formation of pn junctions. It explains key concepts such as the Bohr model, ionization, and the properties of n-type and p-type semiconductors. The document also discusses the movement of charge carriers in semiconductors and the significance of doping in enhancing conductivity.

Uploaded by

Mona Sayed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reference:

Electronic Devices
Ninth Edition

Floyd

Lecture 2
Dr. Mona Sayed
Electronics Engineering
Elements course

Objective :
Describe the structure of an atom
Discuss insulators, conductors, and semiconductors and
how they differ
Describe how current is produced in a semiconductor
Describe the properties of n-type and p-type semiconductors
Describe how a pn junction is formed

Chapter 1: Introduction to Electronics

Reference:
Electronic Devices by Floyd
Chapter 1
Introduction to Electronics
Summary
Atom

An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains the


characteristics of that element.

The nucleus consists of


positively charged particles called
protons and uncharged particles
called neutrons. The basic
particles of negative charge are
called electrons.
Summary
Bohr Atom

The Bohr model of the atom is that electrons can circle the nucleus
only in specific orbits, which correspond to discrete energy levels
called shells.
Energy

The atomic number is the


number of protons in the nucleus.

The outermost occupied shell is


called the valence shell and
electrons that occupy this shell are
called valence electrons. Nucleus Shell 1

Shell 2
Summary
Ionization

If a valence electron acquires a sufficient amount of energy, called


ionization energy, it can actually escape from the outer shell and
the atom’s influence.
The process of losing a valence electron is known as ionization,
and the resulting positively charged atom is called a positive ion.
The escaped valence electron is called a free electron.
The reverse process can occur in certain atoms when a free
electron collides with the atom and is captured, releasing energy.
The atom that has acquired the extra electron is called a negative
ion.
Summary
Conductors
Materials can be classified by their ability to conduct electricity. This ability
is related to the valence electrons.
A conductor is a material that easily conducts electrical current.
Core (+1)

Copper is an example of an
excellent conductor. It has only
one electron in its valence band,
which can easily escape to the +29

conduction band, leaving behind a


positive ion (the core). Like all
metals, copper has many free
electrons which are loosely held
by the attraction of the positive
metal ions.
Summary
Insulators
Insulators have tightly bound electrons with few electrons available for
conduction. An insulator is a material that does not conduct electrical current
under normal conditions.
Nonmetals, such as glass, air, paper, and rubber are excellent
insulators and widely used in electronics. Even these materials can
break down and conduct
electricity if the voltage is
high enough.
Summary

Semiconductors
Semiconductors are between conductors and insulators
in their ability to conduct electricity.
Core (+4)
Silicon is an example of a single
element semiconductor. It has four
+14
electrons in its valence band.

+4

Unlike metals, silicon forms strong covalent


bonds (shared electrons) with its neighbors. +4 +4 +4

Intrinsic silicon is a poor conductor because most


of the electrons are bound in the crystal and take
part in forming the bonds between atoms. +4
Summary

Band Gap
The difference in energy between the valence band and the conduction
band is called an energy gap or band gap.

Energy diagrams for the three types of materials.


Summary
Conduction Electrons and Holes

In intrinsic silicon, a few electrons can jump the energy


gap between the valence and conduction band. Having
moved into the conduction band, a “hole” (vacancy) is
left in the crystal structure.

Conduction Free
band electron
Energy gap Heat
Energy
Valence Hole
band
Electron-hole pair
Summary
Electron and Hole Current

Within the crystalline structure, there are two types


of charge movement (current):
1) The conduction band electrons are free to move under the
influence of an electric field.
2) The bound (valence) electrons move between atoms, effectively
moving holes from one atom to another as illustrated. Holes act
like positive charges, with their own mobility.
Summary
Electron and Hole Current

Electron current in intrinsic silicon is


produced by the movement of thermally
generated free electrons.

Hole current in intrinsic Holes Electrons


silicon

Si Si Si
Summary

N Type and P Type Semiconductors

Since semiconductors are generally poor conductors, their conductivity


can be drastically increased by the controlled addition of impurities to
the intrinsic (pure) semiconductive material.
This process, called doping, increases the number of current carriers
(electrons or holes).
The two categories of impurities are n-type and p-type.
Summary

N-Type Semiconductors
An n-type semiconductive material is created by adding impurity
atoms that have five valence electrons. These impurities are
pentavalent atoms. These are atoms with five valence electrons
such as arsenic (As), phosphorus (P), bismuth (Bi), and antimony
(Sb).
Free (conduction) electron
The majority carriers in an n-type Si from Sb atom

semiconductor are free electrons


acquired by the doping process, and the
Si Sb Si
minority carriers are holes produced by
thermally generated electron-hole pairs.
Si
Summary
P-Type Semiconductors

A p-type semiconductor is created by adding impurity atoms with


only three valence electrons. These impurities are trivalent
atoms. An impurity such as boron leaves a vacancy in the valence
band, creating a p-material.
The majority carriers in a p-type
semiconductor are holes acquired by Si Hole from
B atom
the doping process, and the minority
carriers are free electrons produced
by thermally generated electron-hole Si B Si

pairs.

Si
Summary

The pn junction
A p- and an n-material together form a pn junction.
When the junction is formed, conduction electrons move to the p-
region, and fall into holes. Filling a hole makes a negative ion and
leaves behind a positive ion in the n-region. This creates a thin
region that is depleted of free charges at the boundary.
Depletion region
p region n region
What process stops the migration of – +

charge across the boundary? –


–
+
+
– +
A potential is built up (called the – +

barrier potential) that prevents further –


–
+
+

charge migration. – +
Summary
The pn junction
The energy diagram for the n-region shows
a lower potential than for the p-region.

Energy
Why do you think that the
energy level in the n- region Conduction
is lower than the p-region? band

Valence
The n-region tends to have filled valence band
shells; conduction electrons are shielded by
these electrons, so they are further away 0
p region n region
from the nucleus and have less energy. Depletion
region

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