Majority & Minority Carriers
The classification of charge carriers in a doped semiconductor based on their relative concentrations.
Governing formula
N-Type: n_majority = N_D, p_minority = n_i² / N_D
SI unit
cm⁻³ (Carrier Density)
In depth
In n-type semiconductors, free electrons are majority carriers and holes are minority carriers. In p-type semiconductors, holes are majority carriers and electrons are minority carriers. Recombination of minority carriers governs transistor switching speed.
Examples in the real world
Minority carrier diffusion driving current flow across forward-biased p-n junction diodes.