See Also: semiconductor(dictionary)
semiconductor(encyclopedia)
semiconductor(dictionary)
Zarlink Semiconductor(finance)
Tundra Semiconductor(finance)
Taiwan Semiconductor(finance)
Natl Semiconductor(finance)
Hynix Semiconductor(finance)
Freescale Semiconductor(finance)
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index(finance)

semiconductor (iou)



semiconductor noun. M19.
[from SEMI- + CONDUCTOR.]
Physics. Orig., any material whose capacity to conduct electricity was intermediate between that of a good conductor (such as most metals) and an insulator. Now spec. a solid which is a very poor conductor when pure or at low temperatures, but which is an effective conductor when impure (extrinsic semiconductor) or heated (intrinsic semiconductor), owing to the narrow gap between permitted energy bands.
Comb.: semiconductor diode a diode whose rectifying action depends on the properties of a junction between a semiconductor and either a metal or another type of semiconductor; semiconductor junction = JUNCTION noun 3b; semiconductor rectifier a semiconductor diode, usu. one intended for large currents; semiconductor triode a junction transistor having two junctions.