The useful idea
- Between conductor and insulator
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
- Doping adds carriers
Doping greatly increases the number of charge carriers within the crystal.
- Devices become processors
The term "semiconductors" is sometimes used to refer to semiconductor devices such as microchips and computer processors, which work using the physical properties of semiconductors.
Why this matters
Use Semiconductor as a lens when judging what a digital tool can — and cannot — do.
Try this
Use Semiconductor as a lens when judging what a digital tool can — and cannot — do.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Semiconductor?
- Devices become processors
- Doping adds carriers
- Between conductor and insulator — correct
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.