AMORPHOUS SEMICONDUCTOR Meaning and
Definition
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Amorphous semiconductor refers to a type of semiconductor material that lacks a regular, defined crystalline structure. Unlike crystalline semiconductors, which have a well-ordered atomic arrangement, amorphous semiconductors have a disordered atomic structure.
Amorphous semiconductors are typically made from covalently bonded elements such as silicon, germanium, or sulfur. The lack of a specific crystalline structure leads to certain unique properties in these materials. For instance, the absence of long-range order gives amorphous semiconductors a wide range of localized energy states, which can have an impact on their optical, electrical, and electronic properties.
One important characteristic of amorphous semiconductors is their ability to change their electrical conductivity upon exposure to light (photoconductivity). This phenomenon, known as the photoconductive effect, has led to the use of amorphous semiconductors in various optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, photodetectors, and xerographic photoreceptors.
The disordered nature of amorphous semiconductors also grants them greater flexibility, allowing them to be deposited as thin films on a variety of substrates, including plastics, glass, and metal foils. This deposition versatility has opened up opportunities for low-cost, large-area applications like thin-film transistors, displays, and sensors.
In summary, an amorphous semiconductor is a semiconductor material that lacks a regular crystalline structure. These materials possess unique properties due to their disordered atomic arrangement and find a wide range of applications in optoelectronic devices and thin-film technologies.
Common Misspellings for AMORPHOUS SEMICONDUCTOR
- zmorphous semiconductor
- smorphous semiconductor
- wmorphous semiconductor
- qmorphous semiconductor
- anorphous semiconductor
- akorphous semiconductor
- ajorphous semiconductor
- amirphous semiconductor
- amkrphous semiconductor
- amlrphous semiconductor
- amprphous semiconductor
- am0rphous semiconductor
- am9rphous semiconductor
- amoephous semiconductor
- amodphous semiconductor
- amofphous semiconductor
- amotphous semiconductor
- amo5phous semiconductor
- amo4phous semiconductor
- amorohous semiconductor
Etymology of AMORPHOUS SEMICONDUCTOR
The word "amorphous" derives from the Greek word "amorphos", which means "shapeless" or "without form". It is formed by combining the prefix "a-" meaning "without" and "morphē" meaning "form". The term "amorphous" is used to describe any material that lacks a definite crystalline structure or shape.
The word "semiconductor" is a combination of "semi-" meaning "half" or "partially" and "conductor". A conductor is a material that allows the flow of electric current. Semiconductors are materials that possess electrical conductivity between that of conductors and insulators. The term "semiconductor" is often used in reference to materials commonly used in the electronics industry, such as silicon.
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