Semiconductor Devices

As the name implies, semiconductors are materials that are neither completely insulators nor completely conductors. Semiconductor devices are electronic components that utilize the electronic properties of such semiconductor materials. One of the most important properties of semiconductor material is that by adding some impurities to them, they can either conduct or insulate, depending upon their connection. Semiconductor devices thus serve the basis for switching and amplification. Some of the most common semiconductors are germanium and silicon; however silicon is the preferred choice for semiconductor today. The process of adding impurities to the semiconductor material is called as doping.