Semiconductors are materials which have a electrical conductivity between the conductors which are generally metals and the nonconductors or insulators like ceramics or fabrics. Semiconductors can be pure elements, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds such as gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide.

These are used in controlling conductivity in several electronics like TV, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, etc. for the last couple of decades and has thus become an important part of our lives.