Difference between Semiconductors and Superconductors

An electric conductor is defined as a material that allows the flow of electric current or electric charges across it. In this article, we will discuss the differences between two important types of electric conductors: semiconductors and superconductors.

What is a Semiconductor?

Semiconductors are defined as a category of electric conductors whose conductivity ranges between that of insulators and conductors. Semiconductors are formed by mixing or doping impurity atoms with pure semiconductor elements. This addition of impurities enhances the conducting capabilities of the semiconductor material.

Based on the type of element being doped, semiconductors are categorized into the following two types −

N-type Semiconductors

N-type semiconductors are a kind of semiconductor materials in which a pure form of semiconductor such as Silicon (having 4 valence electrons) is doped with pentavalent elements such as Arsenic (As) having five valence electrons.

The four valence electrons of tetravalent Silicon form a strong covalent bond with that of the four out of the five valence electrons of Arsenic, resulting in the release of one free electron. These free electrons result in the semiconductor being rich in negatively charged freely moving electrons, which are responsible for the increased conductivity of the semiconductor material. An increase in the temperature would result in an increase in the conductivity of the n-type semiconductor material.

P-type Semiconductors

P-type semiconductors are also a kind of semiconductor material in which a pure form of semiconductor such as Germanium (having 4 valence electrons) is doped with trivalent elements such as Aluminium (Al) having three valence electrons.

The four valence electrons of tetravalent Germanium form a strong covalent bond with that of three out of the three valence electrons of Aluminium, resulting in the release formation of a hole. These free holes result in the semiconductor being rich in positively charged freely moving holes, which are responsible for the increased conductivity of the semiconductor material. An increase in the temperature would result in an increase in the conductivity of the p-type semiconductor material.

What is a Superconductor?

Superconductors are defined as that category of conducting material that conducts or allows the flow of electric current across it at a greater rate as compared to a semiconductor material, on reaching a certain threshold temperature. When the temperature of the conducting material reaches a specific temperature value the resistivity of that material becomes zero, which is why it is termed as a superconductor.

In the basic kind of conductors, a rise in temperature results in an increase of material resistance, and a decrease in temperature results in a drop of the resistance value of the material. But in the case of superconductor materials, the opposite is true, wherein a decrease in the temperature values results in the resistance value of the material falling to zero.

Due to the existence of zero resistivity of superconductor materials, there are no energy losses occurring. It is observed that a strong electronic bond within the superconductor results in an increased flow of electric current across it.

Depending on the temperature conditions under which the superconductors conduct electricity, they can be subdivided into the following two types −

Type I Superconductors

Type I superconductors are defined as that category superconductors that allow the flow of limited current at normal ambient temperature but on reaching the critical temperature value, it allows the unlimited flow of electric current across it due to zero resistivity of the material.

Type II Superconductors

Type II superconductors are defined as that category of superconductors that are not good conductors of electricity under normal ambient temperatures, but on reaching the threshold temperature, it permits the flow of unlimited current across it.

Difference between Semiconductors and Superconductors

The following table highlights the important differences between a semiconductor and a superconductor −

Parameter	Semiconductor	Superconductor
Basic description	Semiconductors have an intermediate conducting capacity, between that of insulators and conductors.	Superconductors have conductivity greater than that of normal conductors as they have zero resistivity at critical temperatures.
Types	Depending on the kind of impurities that the semiconductor is doped with, it is divided into the following two categories − n-type semiconductor p-type semiconductor	Depending on the temperature dependence superconductors are subdivided into the following two categories − Type I Superconductors Type II Superconductors
Current handling capacity	Semiconductors allow the flow of limited current across it depending on the doping impurities.	Superconductors allow the flow of unlimited flow of current at a specific temperature.
Electric conductivity	Semiconductors have comparatively lesser conductivity than conductors.	Superconductors have much greater conductivity than conductors due to zero resistivity to current flow.
Factors affecting electrical conductivity	The conductivity of semiconductors depends upon the number of doping impurities added to the pure semiconductor materials.	The conductivity of superconductors depends upon the temperature in which the material is used.
Range of conductance	The conductivity range of semiconductors lies between that of insulators and semiconductors.	The conductivity range of superconductors is greater than that of conductors.
Conductivity at room temperature	Electric conductivity is observed in the case of semiconductors at normal room temperature.	Type I Superconductors show very low conductivity at room temperature. /p>
Energy consumption	Intermediate energy consumption is involved.	Negligible energy consumption.
Examples	Pure atomic elements such as silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge) are the most popularly used semiconductor materials.	Some of superconductors examples are aluminum, Mercury, niobium, barium copper oxide, etc.

Conclusion

In conclusion, semiconductors and superconductors are two categories of conducting materials that are distinguished by their conducting capacity. The most significant difference between them is that a semiconductor has its conductivity ranging between conductors and insulators, while the conducting level of a superconductor is beyond that of a conductor.