| English | p-type semiconductor |
|---|---|
| Bahasa Melayu | Semikonduktor jenis-p |
| 中文 | P型半导体 |
Definition
A semiconductor doped so that positive holes are the majority charge carriers.
In exam terms
A p-type semiconductor is a semiconductor that has been doped so that positive holes are the majority charge carriers. It is made by adding a trivalent impurity (an atom with three valence electrons, such as boron) to pure silicon; because one bond is short of an electron, a hole is left that behaves like a positive charge and can carry current.
Example of correct use: in a p-type semiconductor the current is carried mainly by holes, which move as neighbouring electrons fill them in turn.
Do not confuse it with…
Do not confuse a p-type with an n-type semiconductor, and do not think a hole is a real particle. A hole is a vacancy where an electron is missing; it behaves like a mobile positive charge but is not an actual positive particle.
In Paper 2 you may be asked to explain how a p-type is formed or to state its majority carrier; name a trivalent dopant such as boron and describe the hole as the majority carrier.
Source: DSKP KSSM Physics Form 4 and 5 (Versi English) (Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum (BPK), KPM)