Semiconductor materials are currently one of the most important material classes, for they are regarded as the cornerstone of all modern electronics. What makes them so special, is their ability to selectively conduct electric current, depending on the applied voltage or temperature. After a century of innovation, there is a multitude of known materials, which can be roughly divided into generations. A new generation is understood to include materials of far greater sophistication in terms of semiconducting capabilities, than the last. Semiconducting capabilities can be, to a certain extent, improved by doping, which is controlled introduction of other elements’ atoms into the structure of a pure semiconductor. In this work I have described the underlying theory of semiconductor materials with special emphasis on the concept of semiconductivity. Additionally, I provided a detailed description of doping process as well as the methods used in production of silicon monocrystal. My reasoning was, that those topics are of special importance for understanding the semiconductor industry. Lastly, I have, after reviewing the relevant literature, described materials’ development and presented the recent advances in the field of semiconductor engineering.
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