Semiconductors are materials that possess electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. This unique property is primarily due to the structure of their electron bands, which allows their conductivity to be easily manipulated by the addition of impurities—a process known as doping. Common semiconductor materials include silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. Semiconductors form the foundation of modern electronics; they are used to make components such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits, which are essential for devices like smartphones, computers, and solar cells. The behavior of semiconductors can be significantly altered by changes in temperature, the application of light, and electric fields, making them highly versatile for various applications. The development and integration of semiconductor technology have been central to the digital age, enabling the miniaturization and efficiency improvements in electronics that drive today’s technology-dependent world.
A new method enables precise nanofabrication inside silicon using spatial light modulation and laser pulses, creating advanced nanostructures for potential use in electronics and photonics….
A study has extended the scope of ferromagnetic materials to include molybdenum disulfide, showing it can exhibit similar properties to iron under certain conditions. This…
New research boosts our understanding of a likely candidate for next-generation computer chips. Scientists at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are advancing semiconductor technology by…
Physicists have developed a groundbreaking technique using high-resolution microscopy and ultrafast lasers to precisely identify defects in semiconductors. This new method, particularly effective in nanoscale…
Researchers are turning to gallium nitride for high-temperature applications such as Venus exploration, due to its ability to withstand temperatures above 500 degrees Celsius. A…
By utilizing traditional semiconductor devices, researchers have unlocked new potentials in quantum communication, pushing us closer to realizing the vast potential of the quantum internet….
New research has discovered a new superlattice structure in gallium nitride (GaN) using magnesium (Mg), promising advancements in semiconductor performance. A new study has revealed…
An engineering professor transformed a traumatic childhood experience with electricity into a career dedicated to enhancing electrical safety. He developed a Z-source inverter that responds…
Scientists Tame Quantum Bits in a Widely Used Semiconductor Material Quantum computers, leveraging the unique properties of qubits, outperform classical systems by simultaneously existing in…
Scientists have developed GaN semiconductors to boost efficiency and reduce costs in electric vehicles and renewable energy, aiding the energy transition. Key technologies crucial for…
In the brain, timekeeping is done with neurons that relax at different rates after receiving a signal; now memristors—hardware analogs of neurons—can do that too….
Researchers have created a new technique for precise control of cavity length in GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. Gallium nitride (GaN) vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are…
A new doping method uses air and light to enhance the conductivity of organic semiconductors, promising greater scalability and environmental sustainability in electronic device production….
Slow electrons are used in cancer therapy as well as in microelectronics, however, it is very hard to observe how they behave in solids. But…
New photonic integrated circuit technology based on lithium tantalate improves cost-efficiency and scalability, making significant advancements in optical communications and computing. Optical communications and computing…
New study applies ultrafast terahertz frequency radiation to transition metal dichalcogenides, generating coherent phonons. Semiconductors are a cornerstone of next-generation technology, so a new method…
New research has demonstrated that small changes in the isotopic content of thin semiconductor materials can influence their optical and electronic properties, possibly opening the…
Electrons within solid materials are restricted to specific energy levels, known as “bands.” The space between these bands, the forbidden energies, are known as “band…