Semiconductors are solid materials that are fused with electric conductivity between the conductor and the insulator and has the potential to vary over the wide range either permanently or dynamically. They are important components of electronic industry and an essential element in consumer electronics. The semiconductors can be existent in pure elements like silicon or gremanium while they also exist in the form of compounds namely gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide. They work on the methodology called doping, which takes place when small amount of impurities are added to pure semiconductors, thus causing great changes in the conductivity of the material. There are many domestic appliances that work with the aid of these semiconductors. A few examples are microwave oven, radio, television, CD player and air conditioner.
Industrial Trends and Scope
Basically there are two types of semiconductors present in the market. They are the N- type negative semiconductors that carries negatively charged electrons. The other type is the P- Type semiconductors wherein the electrons are positively charged. Some of the key materials that are employed in the manufacturing of these semiconductors are silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, cadmium selenide, gray tin, indium antimonide, and aluminum phosphide. The manufacturing of these semiconductors require highly pure chemical as even a negligible amount of impurity can have large effects on the properties of the material produced.
Semiconductors are applicable in fields like
analog mixed signals,
communication Ic,
discrete devices,
Ic interface devices,
Ic passive components,
interface Ic,
logic devices,
memory chips,
microprocessors and micro controllers,
passive devices,
power and power management Ic,
programmable logic devices,
sensor Ic and
timing circuits.
Industrial Trends and Scope The growth of semiconductor industry is expected to peak in the years. Although some researchers claim that the present global recession will definitely arrest the growth rate but the manufacturers and suppliers of semiconductors are of the opine that the semiconductors market will recover as it has been doing in the past. In the year 2007 and 2008, the global semiconductor industry enjoyed a growth of 8.5% and 8.6% respectively. The worldwide economic weakness in general and falling memory prices in particular are hitting the industry hard. In spite of the sluggish economic conditions, the revenues of the semiconductor industry is being anticipated to climb from $2.53 billion in 2008 to $3.24 billion in 2010. In the coming years, Asia Pacific countries are being predicted to be the greatest consumers due to growing demand for products like computers and consumer electronics which use a high integration of semiconductors.
Semiconductors appliances are ubiquitous. They can be found inside any commercial product that we use. Be it the calculator or appliances like vacuum cleaner, these semiconductors are a key component of them. It is this functionality of the semiconductors that has helped them in widening their scope of application. Today even many modem military equipment are loaded with these devices. Many radars, communication, and airborne equipment too are being equipped with these semiconductors.
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