Semiconductor

An element, such as silicon, that is intermediate in electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators, through which conduction takes place by means of holes and electrons. The conductivity of a semiconductor is changed by the addition of small amounts of impurities to its crystal structure.

p-type Semiconductor

A semiconductor for which the predominant charge carriers responsible for electrical conduction are holes. Normally, acceptor impurity atoms give rise to the excess holes.

See also: Extrinsic Semiconductor, Minority Carriers.