6. Glossary

Semiconductors

Materials based on elements from Group IV, or Groups III and V, or Groups II and VI of the periodic table. They are characterized by the presence of a band gap and exhibit increased conductivity as temperature rises.

n-type or p-type semiconductors

Semiconductors doped with pentavalent elements (electron donors) or trivalent elements (hole donors), respectively, which thus determine the type of majority charge carriers.

pn junction

A device formed by bringing an n-type semiconductor into contact with a p-type semiconductor. The diffusion of majority charge carriers occurs in a region called the "space charge region," where an internal electric field is present.

Space-charge zone

Defined by the diffusion...