Semiconductor vs. Superconductor — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
A semiconductor conducts electricity moderately and its conductivity increases with temperature, while a superconductor conducts electricity without resistance but only under very low temperatures.
Difference Between Semiconductor and Superconductor
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Semiconductors are materials that have a conductivity level between that of a conductor and an insulator. Whereas superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without any electrical resistance, but this property is only exhibited at extremely low temperatures.
The electrical properties of semiconductors can be altered by the addition of impurities a process known as doping. On the other hand, superconductors require precise conditions, such as cooling to temperatures close to absolute zero, to maintain their resistance-free state.
In semiconductors, the increase in temperature tends to increase their conductivity as more charge carriers become available. Conversely, superconductors lose their superconducting properties if the temperature rises above a critical threshold, specific to the material.
Applications of semiconductors are widespread in electronic devices like transistors, solar cells, and diodes due to their ability to control electrical current. Superconductors, meanwhile, are crucial in applications requiring high magnetic fields and zero electrical loss, such as in MRI machines and maglev trains.
The cost and practicality of using semiconductors are more favorable for everyday electronics. Superconductors, however, are generally more expensive to produce and maintain, limiting their use to specialized applications.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Conductivity
Moderate, varies with temperature
Perfect, but only below a certain temperature
Resistance
Decreases as temperature increases
Zero resistance below critical temperature
Material State
Solid state at room temperature
Solid state, requires extreme cooling
Applications
Electronics, computing, solar panels
Magnetic levitation, MRI, particle accelerators
Cost and Practicality
Cost-effective and widely used
Expensive and used in specialized areas
Compare with Definitions
Semiconductor
Used primarily in electronic circuits and devices.
A semiconductor diode regulates current flow in one direction.
Superconductor
Requires very low temperatures to operate effectively.
Superconducting magnets are cooled with liquid helium.
Semiconductor
Commonly found in microelectronic components.
The transistor, an essential component of all modern electronics, uses semiconductors.
Superconductor
Used in applications where high efficiency and strong magnetic fields are needed.
Superconductors make possible the high field magnets in MRI machines.
Semiconductor
A material whose electrical conductivity is between that of a conductor and an insulator.
Silicon is a widely used semiconductor in computer chips.
Superconductor
Critical temperature and magnetic field are key properties.
Each superconductor has a critical temperature above which it loses its superconducting properties.
Semiconductor
Can be doped with impurities to alter electrical properties.
Doping silicon with phosphorus increases its conductivity.
Superconductor
A material that can conduct electricity without resistance when cooled below a certain temperature.
Niobium alloys are used as superconductors in particle accelerators.
Semiconductor
Sensitivity to light, temperature, and electric fields.
Semiconductors are essential for photovoltaic cells that convert solar energy into electrical energy.
Superconductor
Exhibits the Meissner effect, repelling magnetic fields completely at low temperatures.
A superconductor will levitate a magnet above it due to this effect.
Semiconductor
A semiconductor material has an electrical conductivity value falling between that of a conductor, such as metallic copper, and an insulator, such as glass. Its resistivity falls as its temperature rises; metals behave in the opposite way.
Superconductor
To allow the flow of electric current without resistance. Certain materials superconduct at low temperatures.
Semiconductor
Any of various solid crystalline substances, such as germanium or silicon, having electrical conductivity greater than insulators but less than good conductors, and used especially as a base material for microchips and other electronic devices.
Superconductor
A substance that has no resistance to conducting an electric current
Semiconductor
An integrated circuit or other electronic component containing a semiconductor as a base material.
Semiconductor
(physics) A substance with electrical properties intermediate between a good conductor and a good insulator.
Semiconductor
A substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increases with temperature and in the presence of impurities
Semiconductor
A conductor made with semiconducting material
Common Curiosities
What are typical applications of semiconductors?
Used in computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices.
What is a superconductor?
A material that can conduct electricity with no resistance under very low temperatures.
What is a semiconductor?
A material with electrical conductivity between a conductor and an insulator, used widely in electronic devices.
Can the properties of a semiconductor be changed?
Yes, by doping it with other elements.
What are typical applications of superconductors?
Employed in MRI machines, particle accelerators, and maglev trains.
What makes superconductors ideal for magnetic applications?
Their ability to create strong magnetic fields without energy loss.
How does temperature affect semiconductors and superconductors?
In semiconductors, conductivity increases with temperature; in superconductors, excessive temperature causes loss of superconductivity.
Can superconductors be used at room temperature?
Currently, all superconductors require cooling below room temperature.
Are there any superconductors that work at high temperatures?
Yes, but even high-temperature superconductors require cooling to temperatures much lower than ambient.
Why are superconductors not used as widely as semiconductors?
Due to the high costs and the extreme cooling requirements.
What is the Meissner effect in superconductors?
It's the expulsion of a magnetic field from a superconductor when it transitions into its superconducting state.
What are doped semiconductors?
Semiconductors into which impurities are introduced to modify electrical conductivity.
How does doping affect semiconductor performance?
Doping enhances the conductivity by introducing free charge carriers in the material.
How do semiconductors impact modern electronics?
They are fundamental components that manage current in almost all electronic devices.
What defines the critical temperature for a superconductor?
The temperature below which a material exhibits superconductivity.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Segregate vs. Sort
Next Comparison
Study vs. AnalysisAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
