Semiconductors

Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators, and are the backbone of modern electronics. They are used in a wide range of applications, including computers, cell phones, TVs, and solar cells. Semiconductors are made from materials such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide, and their properties can be tailored by adding impurities.

How Semiconductors Work

Semiconductors behave as insulators at low temperatures, but as the temperature increases, electrons in the material gain enough energy to break free from their atoms and become mobile. This makes semiconductors good conductors of electricity at high temperatures. However, the addition of impurities can also alter the electrical conductivity of semiconductors. For example, adding phosphorus to silicon creates a semiconductor that is more conductive than pure silicon, while adding boron to silicon creates a semiconductor that is less conductive.

Applications of Semiconductors

Semiconductors are used in a wide range of applications, including:

• Computers: Semiconductors are used in computer chips, which are the brains of computers. Computer chips control the flow of information and perform calculations.
• Cell phones: Semiconductors are used in cell phones to amplify signals and process data.
• TVs: Semiconductors are used in TVs to create images. TVs use light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are made from semiconductors, to produce light.
• Solar cells: Semiconductors are used in solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity.

Careers in Semiconductors

There are a number of careers available in the field of semiconductors. These careers include:

• Semiconductor engineer: Semiconductor engineers design and develop semiconductors and semiconductor devices.
• Semiconductor physicist: Semiconductor physicists study the physical properties of semiconductors.
• Semiconductor technician: Semiconductor technicians manufacture and test semiconductors and semiconductor devices.
• Semiconductor sales engineer: Semiconductor sales engineers sell semiconductors and semiconductor devices to customers.

Online Courses in Semiconductors

There are a number of online courses available that can help you learn about semiconductors. These courses can teach you the basics of semiconductors, how they work, and how they are used in different applications. Some of the most popular online courses in semiconductors include:

• Introduction to Semiconductors from Coursera
• Semiconductors for Beginners from Udemy
• Semiconductor Physics from edX
• Solar Energy 1 from FutureLearn

Benefits of Learning About Semiconductors

There are a number of benefits to learning about semiconductors. These benefits include:

• Increased understanding of electronics: Semiconductors are the building blocks of modern electronics, so learning about semiconductors can help you understand how electronic devices work.
• Improved problem-solving skills: Semiconductor engineering is a challenging field, so learning about semiconductors can help you develop your problem-solving skills.
• Increased career opportunities: There are a number of careers available in the field of semiconductors, so learning about semiconductors can help you qualify for these careers.

Conclusion

Semiconductors are essential to modern electronics, and they play a vital role in a wide range of applications. If you are interested in learning more about semiconductors, there are a number of online courses available that can help you get started.