Intrinsic semiconductors are pure materials, such as silicon or germanium, that have an equal number of electrons and holes, making them electrically neutral. Extrinsic semiconductors have impurities added to them, which creates an imbalance in the number of electrons and holes, making them electrically conductive.
At high temperatures, the thermal energy in the extrinsic semiconductor causes the impurities to become ionized, creating extra electrons or holes and restoring the balance between the two. This results in the extrinsic semiconductor behaving similarly to an intrinsic semiconductor.
The concentration of impurities is the main factor that affects the behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures. Higher concentrations of impurities result in a greater number of ionized atoms and a stronger extrinsic behavior.
No, at room temperature, the thermal energy is not high enough to significantly ionize the impurities in extrinsic semiconductors. Therefore, they will not behave intrinsically at room temperature.
The behavior of extrinsic semiconductors at high temperatures is beneficial in electronic devices because it allows for more precise control and manipulation of the electrical properties. This makes extrinsic semiconductors useful in applications such as transistors, diodes, and sensors.