Semiconductors are the elements which could be used as conductors and as insulator in normal life. Normally all the metals are divided into two categories one is called conductors and the others are called insulators. Conductors are the elements which can conduct electricity and heat through them, they have an atomic configuration in which free electrons are available and whenever a suitable potential difference is applied the current flows through them very easily.
Insulators on the other hand are materials which are not able to conduct electricity due to their atomic configuration they do not have electrons which can move freely for the flow of electricity through them. Semiconductors are on the other hand materials which act as insulators at room temperature and under normal conditions but in cases where high potential difference is applied. They allow their electrons to move freely. In semiconductors there are junctions called PN junctions, the biggest use of semiconductors is in transistors were they a used in emitor, base and collector.
Heat has an affect on them by the addition of energy which may allow the movement of electrons so that they can move freely, provided the required amount of heat is added. Light can also effect in cases where the effect of LID takes place if the atom interaction with light is velocity-dependent (due to the Doppler effect), the spectrum of the exciting radiation is asymmetric with respect to the absorption line, and the absorbing molecules experience collisions with a buffer gas, with the collision rate dependent upon their internal state.
Insulators on the other hand are materials which are not able to conduct electricity due to their atomic configuration they do not have electrons which can move freely for the flow of electricity through them. Semiconductors are on the other hand materials which act as insulators at room temperature and under normal conditions but in cases where high potential difference is applied. They allow their electrons to move freely. In semiconductors there are junctions called PN junctions, the biggest use of semiconductors is in transistors were they a used in emitor, base and collector.
Heat has an affect on them by the addition of energy which may allow the movement of electrons so that they can move freely, provided the required amount of heat is added. Light can also effect in cases where the effect of LID takes place if the atom interaction with light is velocity-dependent (due to the Doppler effect), the spectrum of the exciting radiation is asymmetric with respect to the absorption line, and the absorbing molecules experience collisions with a buffer gas, with the collision rate dependent upon their internal state.