[UPSC CSE 1986] Semiconductors/Solar cell (Q297, 60M)

Explain, on the basis of bond structure, the behaviour of insulators and conductors. Describe the effect of adding donor or acceptor impurities on conduction in a semi-conductor. Explain the action of a p-n junction as a rectifier. \begin{aligned} \text{Mass of electron} &= 9.1 \times 10^{-31}\text{ kg} \\\\ 1\text{ a.m.u} &= 931\text{ MeV} \\\\ \text{Avogadro's numbers} &= 6.1 \times 10^{23}\text{ (gm-mole)}^{-1} \\\\ \varepsilon_0 &= 1/36\pi \times 10^{-9}\text{ f/m} \\\\ h &= 6.6 \times 10^{-27}\text{ erg sec} \\\\ c &= 3.0 \times 10^{10}\text{ cm/sec} \\\\ 1\text{ eV} &= 1.6 \times 10^{-19}\text{ erg} \\\\ &= 1.6 \times 10^{-19}\text{ joule} \end{aligned}