For those looking to get into the front lines of the computer servicing industry, or a good freelance job dealing with the inner workings of computer hardware parts, knowing about semiconductors is a great extra bit of knowledge to have on your side. If you are dealing with these parts on a daily or weekly basis, it’s best that you know what you are dealing with.
This is because the ideas behind semiconductors create the foundation of the electronic equipment we use and take for granted, so being aware of how they operate makes the technicians job that much easier. It can get fairly complicated however, so do not expect learning about semiconductors to be a walk in the park intellectually.
As with anything, it is best to start with the basic information. There are many variables in the production of semiconductors today, but most commercial ones are silicon made, with small amounts of “dopants” such as phosphorus and boron. Dopants are little quantities of other materials that get added to the silicon to serve a specific purpose in changing the conductivity.
Semiconductors are somewhere between the conductivity level of an insulator and conductor, and without these levels the normal electronics we commonly use such as radios, televisions, and obviously computers would not be possible.
Probably one of the best ways to learn all that is needed to know about semiconductors is to find a reputable book that starts at a layman’s knowledge, and doesn’t immediately jump into the subject, giving a great starting point.