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Modeling >> Semiconductor Devices >> cryogenic operation of semiconductor devices
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Message started by vivkr on Jun 21^st, 2006, 6:36am

Title: cryogenic operation of semiconductor devices
Post by vivkr on Jun 21^st, 2006, 6:36am

Hi,

I am just curious as to how Si chips are able to work down to very low temperatures (5K as used in IBM's experimental 500 GHz processor). Is there no "freezeout temperature" below which the available thermal energy is insufficient to free enough carriers from the donor and acceptor levels?

Thanks
Vivek

Title: Re: cryogenic operation of semiconductor devices
Post by Marc on Jun 21^st, 2006, 10:57am

That's a good question. I guess I could check the textbooks, but I seem to recall that it wouldn't take too much energy to put donor electrons into the conduction band. Although, the number of intrinsic carrier pairs from thermal generation would be quite low.