What Is A Semiconductor?

A semiconductor is a material that falls between a conductor and an insulator regarding its ability to conduct electricity. In other words, it conducts electricity better than an insulator, like glass, but not as well as a conductor, like copper. Some of the most popular semiconductors include Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge) and Tin (Sn), among others.

Semiconductors are essential components of modern electronics, used in devices like computers, smartphones, TVs, and medical equipment.

What Makes Semiconductors Suitable For Electronics?

One important property of semiconductors is that their conductivity – the property of a material to conduct electricity — is alterable. 

Conductivity is changed by adding small impurities, dopants, to a semiconductor material. This process is called doping. By carefully controlling the doping process, engineers can create semiconductors with specific electrical properties to make electronic devices. 

Further, semiconductors can be formed into incredibly tiny structures. This miniaturisation allows the creation of complex integrated circuits (ICs) or microchips, which pack billions of transistors onto a single chip. Also, the doping process and manufacturing techniques for semiconductors are well-established and constantly improving. 

These properties make semiconductors uniquely important for modern electronics.

What Kind Of Semiconductors Are Used For Modern Electronics?

While there are various types of semiconductors, two players dominate the field of modern electronics:

Silicon (Si): This is the undisputed champion, accounting for the majority of semiconductors used. Silicon is abundant, relatively inexpensive to process, and forms a stable oxide layer (silicon dioxide) crucial for transistor fabrication. Additionally, silicon’s electrical properties, like conductivity, can be precisely controlled through doping, making it highly versatile. Silicon is the workhorse material for general-purpose electronics like computers, smartphones and ICs.

Gallium Arsenide (GaAs): Although less common than silicon, gallium arsenide offers some advantages over the element. It has a higher electron mobility, meaning electrons can move faster within the material. This translates to faster operating speeds, making it ideal for high-frequency applications like microwave transistors, radiofrequency (RF) devices, and some high-performance ICs. Further, GaAs has superior optical properties, making it useful in LEDs and solar cells. However, GaAs is more expensive to produce and process compared to silicon, limiting its widespread adoption.

What Is The Future Of Semiconductors Within Electronics?

The future of semiconductors in electronics is expected to be of innovation and advancement, driven by several key trends:

• Miniaturisation: The relentless pursuit of even smaller and denser transistors will likely continue. This miniaturisation allows for more powerful and efficient electronics.
• New Materials: While silicon remains king, new materials are being explored to overcome its limitations and create new functionalities. Materials like gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) are gaining traction for their ability to handle high power and heat, making them suitable for applications like electric vehicles and power grids.
• Heterogeneous Integration: This involves combining different types of semiconductors and other materials on a single chip. This allows for specialised components to be integrated, leading to more efficient and powerful devices.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Design And Manufacturing: AI is poised to play a bigger role in semiconductor design and manufacturing. AI can be used to optimise chip layouts, predict and prevent manufacturing defects, and accelerate development.

These advancements promise to usher in a new era of electronics with:

• Increased Functionality: Semiconductors with enhanced capabilities will enable the development of even more sophisticated electronics.
• Rise Of Emerging Technologies: The next generation of semiconductors will be crucial for the development of emerging technologies like the IoT, autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics.
• Ubiquitous Electronics: As electronics become smaller, more efficient, and affordable, we can expect them to be seamlessly integrated into our everyday lives.