semiconductor

/'semikən'dʌktə/
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semiconductor

A technician places a semiconductor onto a circuit board.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A conductor made with semiconducting material: A device, such as a transistor or integrated circuit, that is fabricated from a material with semiconducting properties and is used to control electrical current.
    • A substance whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator: A material, such as silicon or germanium, which conducts electricity more effectively than an insulator but less effectively than a pure conductor. Its conductivity can be increased by raising its temperature or by adding specific impurities.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The modern computer industry is built on the silicon semiconductor.
    • Germanium was one of the first materials used as a semiconductor in early transistors.
    • The factory specializes in the production of semiconductor chips for consumer electronics.
Advanced Usage
  • "Semiconductor industry": The economic sector concerned with the research, design, and manufacture of semiconductor devices and components.
    • He works in the semiconductor industry, developing new microprocessors.
  • "Semiconductor physics": The branch of physics that studies the properties and behavior of semiconductors.
    • Her research focuses on semiconductor physics and quantum dots.
Variants and Related Words
  • Semiconducting (adjective): Having the properties of a semiconductor.
    • The semiconducting material was carefully purified.
  • Semiconductor device (noun phrase): An electronic component made from semiconductor material.
    • A diode is a common type of semiconductor device.
Synonyms
  • Chip (specifically for an integrated circuit).
  • Microchip.
  • Solid-state device (a device that uses semiconductors and has no moving parts).
Related Phrases
  • Band gap (noun phrase): In semiconductor physics, the energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band, a key property determining electrical conductivity.
    • The band gap of this semiconductor is ideal for solar cell applications.
  • Doping (noun): The intentional introduction of impurities into a semiconductor to modify its electrical properties.
    • The process of doping is essential for creating p-type and n-type semiconductors.
semiconductor

A technician places a semiconductor onto a circuit board.

Noun
  1. a conductor made with semiconducting material
  2. a substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increases with temperature and in the presence of impurities