Re: [TCLUG:17312] Cooling? (Was Sig11)

[Charles Fulton <cf352197@oak.cats.ohiou.edu>]

Silicon is a semiconductor and it's usually doped with a small amount of
impurities (usually phosphorus?)to make some extra electrons available for
conduction.

There is a gap between the energy levels in silicon, a lower and and upper.
The upper band is the one that is important for conducting electrons.  For
the processor to work you excite a lower electron to the upper state, the
impurities have a closer band so it's easier to get the electrons moving.  If
you keep it cold then there is a lower probability that the electrons will
spontaneously jump the band and confuse things.  Plus the lower amount of
thermal motions of the silicon atoms makes it easier for the electrons to
move.

That will conclude today's physics lesson.  If there are any EEs out there
feel free to correct/flame me or elaborate.

Charlie

"Schlough, Mark" wrote:

>         So which element is the semiconductor in the chip?  Germanium?
>
> > -----Original Message-----