intrinsic semiconductors

Intrinsic semiconductors are pure materials, like silicon or germanium, that naturally conduct electricity under certain conditions. They have a balanced number of electrons and holes (positive charge carriers). When energy, such as heat or light, supplies enough to move electrons, some electrons jump from the tightly bound valence band to the conduction band, creating free electrons and holes. This intrinsic conduction occurs without any added impurities. These materials are fundamental in electronic devices, serving as the base for more complex semiconductors like doping, which enhances their conductivity for specific applications.