What is the Difference Between Electron Rich and Electron Deficient Impurities?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The key difference between electron-rich and electron-deficient impurities lies in the number of valence electrons they possess and their role in semiconductor technology. Here is a comparison between the two:
Electron-rich impurities:
- Consist of 5 valence electrons.
- Increase the conductivity of semiconductor material.
- When 4 out of the 5 electrons in the impurity atom are used in forming covalent bonds with 4 neighboring atoms, the 5th electron remains extra and becomes delocalized.
Electron-deficient impurities:
- Doped with group 13 elements such as B and Al, which have 3 valence electrons.
- Decrease the conductivity of semiconductor material.
- In electron-deficient impurities, the 4th electron of the lattice atom remains extra and isolated, which can create an electron hole or electron vacancy.
In the context of semiconductors, electron-rich impurities are used to increase the conductivity of the semiconductor material, while electron-deficient impurities are used to decrease the conductivity. Both types of impurities play a crucial role in the functioning of various semiconductor devices.
Comparative Table: Electron Rich vs Electron Deficient Impurities
The main difference between electron-rich and electron-deficient impurities lies in the number of valence electrons they possess. Here is a summary of their characteristics:
Electron-Rich Impurities | Electron-Deficient Impurities |
---|---|
Consist of 5 valence electrons | Consist of 3 valence electrons |
Doped with group 15 elements (e.g., N, P) | Doped with group 13 elements (e.g., B, Al) |
Increase the conductivity of semiconductor material | Decrease the conductivity of semiconductor material |
4 out of 5 electrons in the impurity atom form covalent bonds, and the 5th electron remains extra and delocalized | The 4th electron of the lattice atom remains extra and isolated, creating an electron hole or electron vacancy |
In semiconductor technology, impurity atoms are introduced into the semiconductor material to alter its electrical properties. Electron-rich impurities have more valence electrons than the host lattice, resulting in increased conductivity as more electrons become available for conduction. On the other hand, electron-deficient impurities have fewer valence electrons than the host lattice, leading to a decrease in conductivity as electrons are removed from the valence band, creating electron holes or vacancies.
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