What is the process called when silicon is made conductive by adding other materials?

The process of making silicon conductive by adding other materials is known as doping. Doping involves introducing specific impurities into the silicon crystal structure to change its electrical properties. By adding elements such as phosphorus or boron, which have different numbers of valence electrons compared to silicon, the conductivity of silicon is significantly enhanced. This is a crucial step in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices, as it allows for the creation of p-type or n-type semiconductors, which are essential for transistors, diodes, and various electronic components.

Other processes listed, such as alloying, refer to mixing metals or embedding them with other alloys to enhance properties, but this is not specific to silicon semiconductors. Crystallization pertains to the formation of solid crystals from a solution, which is not relevant in this context. Refinement denotes the purification process of materials but does not involve altering conductivity through the addition of dopants. Understanding doping is fundamental for anyone studying electronics or semiconductor physics.