A Semiconductor is a solid material that has electrical conductivity in between a conductor and an insulator. Semiconductors are important in electronic technology. The electronic components made of semiconductor materials, are essential in modern consumer electronics such as computers, mobile phones and digital audio players. Silicon is used to create most semiconductors commercially.
Semiconductor devices are electronic components that exploit the electronic properties, of semiconductor materials, principally silicon, germanium, gallium, a reside. Semiconductor devices have replaced thermionic devices (vacuum tubes) in most applications. They use electronic conductor in the solid state as opposed to the gaseous state in a high vacuum. Semiconductor devices are manufactured both as single discrete devices and as integrated circuits (ICS).
By far silicon (SI) is the most widely used material in semiconductor devices. Its combination of low raw material cost, relatively simple processing and a useful temperature range make it currently the best among the various competition materials.
Uses of Semiconductor
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(i) In manufacturing of electronic goods, e.g- computers, mobile phones, digital audio players.
(ii) Also used in digital circuits like microprocessors.
(iii) Also used in power semiconductor devices intended for high current or high voltage applications. This is also used in smart power devices.