Definition:
Insulators are materials that resist the flow of electric current. They have very high electrical resistance, making them ideal for preventing the passage of electrical charges.

Examples:

• Glass: Often used in electrical insulation for high-voltage power lines.
• Rubber: Commonly used in insulating wires and cables.
• Ceramics: Used in electrical components and as insulation in high-temperature applications.

Properties:

• High Conductivity: Conductors allow the easy flow of electric current due to their low resistance.
• Free Electrons: Conductors have a large number of free electrons that can move easily through the material.
• Temperature Dependence: The conductivity of conductors decreases as temperature increases.

Applications:

• Electrical Wiring: Copper is widely used in household wiring due to its high conductivity.
• Power Transmission: Aluminum is used for long-distance power transmission lines due to its lightweight and good conductivity.
• Circuit Boards: Silver and gold are sometimes used for connections in sensitive electronic equipment.

• High Breakdown Voltage: GaN can handle higher voltages than silicon.
• High Efficiency: GaN devices have lower energy losses, making them more efficient for power conversion.
• High Thermal Conductivity: GaN performs well in high-temperature environments.
• Faster Switching: GaN transistors switch faster, making them ideal for high-frequency applications like RF amplifiers and power electronics.
• Smaller Size: GaN devices can be smaller than their silicon counterparts while providing better performance.

• n-type Semiconductor:

  • Dopant: Adds extra electrons (negative charge carriers), typically by doping with elements like phosphorus.
  • Majority Carriers: Electrons.
  • Minority Carriers: Holes.

• p-type Semiconductor:

  • Dopant: Introduces holes (positive charge carriers), typically by doping with elements like boron.
  • Majority Carriers: Holes.
  • Minority Carriers: Electrons.