Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsSemiconductors and Semiconductor Devices
The electrical conductivity of pure germanium can be enhanced by
Options
- Adecreasing the temperature
- Bdoping with donor impurities
- Cdoping with acceptor impurities
- Dincreasing the temperature
Correct answer
D. increasing the temperature
Step-by-step solution
Pure germanium is an intrinsic semiconductor. As temperature increases, thermal energy breaks covalent bonds, generating more electron-hole pairs. This increases the charge carrier density and enhances the electrical conductivity. Doping pure germanium with donor impurities (pentavalent elements) provides free electrons, making it an n-type semiconductor and increasing its conductivity. Doping with acceptor impurities (trivalent elements) creates holes, making it a p-type semiconductor and also increasing its condu