Semiconductor vs. Dielectric — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Semiconductor and Dielectric
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Compare with Definitions
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.
Dielectric
In electromagnetism, a dielectric (or dielectric material) is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric material is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material as they do in an electrical conductor, but instead only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions, causing dielectric polarization.
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.
Dielectric
A nonconductor of electricity, especially a substance with electrical conductivity of less than a millionth (10-6) of a siemens.
Semiconductor
An integrated circuit or other electronic component containing a semiconductor as a base material.
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Dielectric
(metamaterial) An electrically insulating or nonconducting material considered for its electric susceptibility, i.e. its property of polarization when exposed to an external electric field.
Semiconductor
(physics) A substance with electrical properties intermediate between a good conductor and a good insulator.
Dielectric
(electrically) insulating
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
Dielectric
Any substance or medium that transmits the electric force by a process different from conduction, as in the phenomena of induction; a nonconductor, separating a body electrified by induction, from the electrifying body.
Semiconductor
A conductor made with semiconducting material
Dielectric
A material such as glass or porcelain with negligible electrical or thermal conductivity
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