How does the doping increase the conductivity of semiconductors?
Conductivity of a semiconductor is too low for practical use. The conductivity of a semiconductor can be increased by adding a suitable amount of impurity to perfect crystal. This process is known as doping. It can be done by adding either of two types of impurity to the crystal.
(A) By adding electron rich impurities i.e., group 15 elements to the silicon and germanium of group 14 elements. Out of 4 valence electrons of group 14 elements and 5 valence electrons of group 15 elements, four elecirons of each element ied to formation of four covalent bonds while the one extra electron of group 15 elements become delocalised.
Thus, increases conductivity of semiconductor. This type of semiconductor is known as n-type semiconductor.
(B) By adding electron deficient impurity i.e., group 14 to the perfect crystal of group 14 elements when group 13 element Is doped to group 14 element it lead to create a hole in the ideal crystal which is known as electron hole or electron vacancy.
An electron from the neighbouring atom come and fill the electron hole in doing so an electron from the neighbour leaves an electron hole to its original position. Thus, it increases conductivity of semiconductor. This tyoe of semiconductor is known as p-type semiconductor.
