
Chapter 1 Semiconductor Materials and Diodes 19
or
σ = (1.6 × 10
−19
)(1350)(8 × 10
15
) = 1.73(–cm)
−1
The drift current density is then
J = σ E = (1.73)(100) = 173 A/cm
2
Comment: Since
n p
, the conductivity is essentially a function of the electron
concentration and mobility only. We may note that a current density of a few hundred
amperes per square centimeter can be generated in a semiconductor.
EXERCISE PROBLEM
Ex 1.3: Consider n-type GaAs at
T = 300 K
doped to a concentration of
N
d
= 2 ×10
16
cm
−3
. Assume mobility values of
μ
n
= 6800
cm
2
/V–s and
μ
p
=
300 cm
2
/V–s. (a) Determine the resistivity of the material. (b) Determine the ap-
plied electric field that will induce a drift current density of 175 A/cm
2
. (Ans.
(a)
0.0460 –cm
, (b) 8.04 V/cm).
Note: Two factors need to be mentioned concerning drift velocity and mobility.
Equations (1.7) and (1.9) imply that the carrier drift velocities are linear functions of
the applied electric field. This is true for relatively small electric fields. As the elec-
tric field increases, the carrier drift velocities will reach a maximum value of ap-
proximately 10
7
cm/s. Any further increase in electric field will not produce an
increase in drift velocity. This phenomenon is called drift velocity saturation.
Electron and hole mobility values were given in Example 1.3. The mobility val-
ues are actually functions of donor and/or acceptor impurity concentrations. As the
impurity concentration increases, the mobility values will decrease. This effect then
means that the conductivity, Equation (1.11(b)), is not a linear function of impurity
doping.
These two factors are important in the design of semiconductor devices, but will
not be considered in detail in this text.
Diffusion Current Density
In the diffusion process, particles flow from a region of high concentration to a region
of lower concentration. This is a statistical phenomenon related to kinetic theory. To
explain, the electrons and holes in a semiconductor are in continuous motion, with an
average speed determined by the temperature, and with the directions randomized by
interactions with the lattice atoms. Statistically, we can assume that, at any particular
instant, approximately half of the particles in the high-concentration region are
moving away from that region toward the lower-concentration region. We can also
assume that, at the same time, approximately half of the particles in the lower-
concentration region are moving toward the high-concentration region. However, by
definition, there are fewer particles in the lower-concentration region than there are in
the high-concentration region. Therefore, the net result is a flow of particles away
from the high-concentration region and toward the lower-concentration region. This
is the basic diffusion process.
For example, consider an electron concentration that varies as a function of distance
x, as shown in Figure 1.9(a). The diffusion of electrons from a high-concentration region
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