Semiconductor physics

What happens to the intrinsic carrier density when the temperature of an intrinsic semiconductor is raised?

  1. AIt increases
  2. BIt decreases
  3. CIt does not change
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. It increases

As temperature rises, thermal energy makes it easier for electrons in the valence band to be excited across the band gap into the conduction band. More electron-hole pairs are created, so the intrinsic carrier density increases roughly exponentially.

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More Semiconductor physics questions

  1. Which correctly compares electron and hole mobility in silicon?
  2. Where is the Fermi level located in an n-type semiconductor?
  3. Which correctly describes how the resistivity of an intrinsic semiconductor depends on temperature?
  4. In a semiconductor in thermal equilibrium, what is the product of electron density n and hole density p (n×p)? (ni: intrinsic carrier density)
  5. What causes a diffusion current to flow in a semiconductor?