Based on the composition of elements they are classified into two types.
They are
| S.No. | Elemental semiconductors | Compound semiconductors |
| 1. | These are made from single element | These are made from compound (mixed elements) |
| 2. | These are made from IV group elements of periodic table | These are made from III and V [or] II and VI group elements of periodic table. |
| 3. | These are called as indirect band gap semiconductor (electron-hole recombination takes place through traps) | These are called as direct band gap semiconductor (electron-hole recombination takes place directly) |
| 4. | Heat is produced during recombination | Photons are emitted during recombination |
| 5. | Life time of charge carriers in more due to indirect | Life time of charge carriers is less due to direct recombination. |
| 6. | Current amplification is more | Current amplification is less. |
| 7. | These are used for making diodes, transistor, etc. Ex: Ge. Si | These are used for making LED. laser diodes, etc. EX: GaA, GaP |
| Read More Topics |
| Success of classical free electron theory |
| Electrical conductivity (σ) |
| Quantum theory |
