Doping Defects in Semiconductors?

In summary, Planned Obsolescence is a strategy where electronic goods are intentionally designed to become obsolete after a certain period of time. This is done by replacing components before they fail and taking into account the expected lifetimes of components when designing a device. It is also important to consider factors such as heat dissipation and guarantee periods when evaluating the lifespan of a computer.
  • #1
JPBenowitz
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How is it that certain electronic goods are designed to fail? Planned Obsolescence is just that, planned. So what goes into designing failing systems of computer?

Hypothesis: Perhaps there are defects in the n and p-type doped semiconductors. The lattice entropy increases over time producing defects in the semiconducting material. The joule heating of any electronic device supplies the energy to increase entropy. So if one could design an electronic system to dissipate and increasing amount heat over time then more defects in the semiconductors will occur. The question is do computers dissipate more heat over time? When does a computer typically fail?
 
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  • #2
Planned Obsolescence means planning for obsolescence - not "designing a component to fail".
All materials fail at some stage - it is sensible to plan for that.
This means replacing components before they fail - that is, we make them obsolete in a fixed time as a matter of policy rather than wait for them to fail and, say, crash the plane.

It is also sensible to take the expected lifetimes of components into account when designing a device.
There is no point just using the most long-lived of every component if the shortest lived one lasts about 1% of the longest lived one. That is just a waste of resources.

You should be able to answer the questions you posed yourself - you have used computers: do they dissipate more heat over time? How long do computers last? Hint: read the guarantee.
 
  • #3
JPBenowitz said:
How is it that certain electronic goods are designed to fail? Planned Obsolescence is just that, planned. So what goes into designing failing systems of computer?

Hypothesis: Perhaps there are defects in the n and p-type doped semiconductors. The lattice entropy increases over time producing defects in the semiconducting material. The joule heating of any electronic device supplies the energy to increase entropy. So if one could design an electronic system to dissipate and increasing amount heat over time then more defects in the semiconductors will occur. The question is do computers dissipate more heat over time? When does a computer typically fail?

You do know that heating silicon reduces the lattice defect density, right?
 

FAQ: Doping Defects in Semiconductors?

What are doping defects in semiconductors?

Doping defects in semiconductors refer to the introduction of impurities into the crystal structure of a semiconductor material. These impurities, also known as dopants, can alter the electrical and optical properties of the material, making it more conductive or less conductive.

How do doping defects affect the performance of semiconductors?

The presence of doping defects can significantly impact the performance of semiconductors. For example, the introduction of dopants can create free charge carriers, increasing the conductivity of the material. On the other hand, doping defects can also create traps and recombination centers, hindering the flow of charge carriers and reducing the material's efficiency.

What are the different types of doping defects in semiconductors?

There are two main types of doping defects in semiconductors: donor defects and acceptor defects. Donor defects occur when impurities with extra valence electrons are added to the semiconductor, while acceptor defects happen when impurities with fewer valence electrons are introduced.

How are doping defects controlled in semiconductors?

The control of doping defects in semiconductors is crucial for the precise tuning of the material's properties. This is typically achieved through the use of specific fabrication techniques, such as ion implantation or chemical vapor deposition, to precisely introduce the desired dopants into the crystal lattice. Additionally, post-processing techniques like annealing can help reduce the number of unwanted doping defects.

What are the applications of doping defects in semiconductors?

Doping defects play a crucial role in the development of various electronic devices, including transistors, diodes, solar cells, and light-emitting diodes. By precisely controlling the doping defects, engineers can tailor the properties of semiconductors to suit specific applications, making them an essential aspect of modern technology.

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