Semiconductor
hideA semiconductor is a material that has a resistivity value between that of a conductor and an insulator. The conductivity of a semiconductor material can be varied under an external electrical field. Devices made from semiconductor materials are the foundation of modern electronics, including radio, computers, telephones, and many other devices. Semiconductor devices include the transistor, solar cells, many kinds of diodes including the light-emitting diode, the silicon controlled rectifier, and digital and analog integrated circuits. Solar photovoltaic panels are large semiconductor devices that directly convert light energy into electrical energy. In a metallic conductor, current is carried by the flow of electrons. In semiconductors, current can be carried either by the flow of electrons or by the flow of positively-charged "holes" in the electron structure of the material.
Silicon is used to create most semiconductors commercially. Dozens of other materials are used, including germanium, gallium arsenide, and silicon carbide. A pure semiconductor is often called an “intrinsic” semiconductor. The conductivity, or ability to conduct, of semiconductor material can be drastically changed by adding other elements, called “impurities” to the melted intrinsic material and then allowing the melt to solidify into a new and different crystal. This process is called "doping".
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News tagged with semiconductors
Argonne 'homegrown' hybrid solar cell aims for low-cost power
Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials
Nov 10, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (12) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have refined a technique to manufacture solar cells by creating tubes of semiconducting material and then "growing" ...
NXP Sets New Benchmarks for LED Drivers
Nov 05, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
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NXP Semiconductors today announced three major developments in its portfolio of mains connected LED driver solutions: the success of its SSL2101 LED driver IC in matching LED lifetimes in an accelerated lifetime test; the ...
NXP Introduces Intelligent Switches Supporting HDMI 1.4
Sep 30, 2009 |
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0
NXP Semiconductors today unveiled intelligent switches supporting the new HDMI 1.4 specification released in June 2009.
European research's bit part in Ben Hur Live?
Sep 17, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Technology developed by European researchers is helping the stage production of Ben Hur Live in London's O2 arena.
'Printed chips' could be boon for consumers
Aug 12, 2009 |
4.6 / 5 (16) |
4
Until now, creating the microchips that power all of our electronic gadgets has been a laborious, complex and time-consuming process costing billions of dollars. But if a Milpitas, Calif.-based startup succeeds, making them ...
SKorean firms to jointly develop new chips
Jul 27, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
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Samsung Electronics will lead a group of South Korean firms in jointly developing advanced semiconductors used for smartphones and digital televisions, officials said Monday.
Spintronic -- the new electronic?
Jun 17, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (10) |
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European researchers have developed novel concept devices using ferromagnetic semiconductors.
Chip sales down 25 pct in April: SIA
Jun 01, 2009 |
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Global semiconductor sales declined 25 percent in April compared with a year ago but rose 6.4 percent over the previous month, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported Monday.
Tiny cameras have big market
May 13, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
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Having earned a reputation helping other companies make smaller and faster semiconductors, San Jose-based Tessera now hopes to use its miniature camera technology to revolutionize how a wide array of gadgets interact with ...
'Collapse' in semiconductor demand hits ASML
Apr 15, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (3) |
2
Dutch computer chip equipment maker ASML on Wednesday announced net losses for the first quarter after a collapse in sales, but said it saw signs of improving market conditions.
Cheaper materials could be key to low-cost solar cells
Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials
Feb 18, 2009 |
4.1 / 5 (11) |
5
(PhysOrg.com) -- Unconventional solar cell materials that are as abundant but much less costly than silicon and other semiconductors in use today could substantially reduce the cost of solar photovoltaics, ...
Toward 'invisible electronics' and transparent displays
Feb 05, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (6) |
1
Researchers in California are reporting an advance toward the long-sought goal of "invisible electronics" and transparent displays, which can be highly desirable for heads-up displays, wind-shield displays, and electronic ...
NXP unveils world’s first fully integrated Doherty amplifiers
Jan 27, 2009 |
3.7 / 5 (3) |
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NXP Semiconductors, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, today launched the world's first fully integrated Doherty amplifiers for TD-SCDMA and WCDMA base stations, expanding its extensive portfolio of ...
Soapy property improves electron mobility in organic semiconductors
Oct 28, 2008 |
4.5 / 5 (13) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Organic semiconductors are a main component in a variety of future organic electronics, such as flexible flat-panel displays, inexpensive solar cells, and other unique devices. Because of ...
