What is the Difference Between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductor?

The main difference between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors lies in the amount of doping and charge carriers. Intrinsic semiconductors are pure, while extrinsic semiconductors contain impurities to make them conductive. Here are some key differences between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors:

1. Purity: Intrinsic semiconductors are in their purest form, while extrinsic semiconductors are intentionally doped with impurities to modify their electrical properties.
2. Conductivity: Intrinsic semiconductors have low conductivity, while extrinsic semiconductors have higher conductivity.
3. Types: Intrinsic semiconductors are not further classified, while extrinsic semiconductors are divided into two types: N-type semiconductors and P-type semiconductors, based on the impurity added.
4. Doping: Intrinsic semiconductors do not have any doping, while extrinsic semiconductors are doped with impurities to change the concentration of charge carriers.
5. Charge Carriers: In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of free electrons roughly equals the number of holes, leading to a balance between these charge carriers. In extrinsic semiconductors, the number of electrons or holes depends on the type of dopant used.

Comparative Table: Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Semiconductor

The main difference between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors lies in their purity and conductivity. Intrinsic semiconductors are pure, while extrinsic semiconductors contain impurities to make them conductive. Here is a table comparing the key differences between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors:

Intrinsic semiconductors have no charge carriers and are made of materials in their purest form, such as silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). On the other hand, extrinsic semiconductors are created by doping pure semiconductors with specific impurities. Due to the introduction of impurities, extrinsic semiconductors display a higher conductivity than intrinsic semiconductors.