<–2/”>a >Semiconductor Devices:-
Semiconductor devices are electronic components that exploit the electronic properties of semiconductor materials, principally silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide, as well as organic semiconductors. Semiconductor devices have replaced thermionic devices (vacuum tubes) in most applications.
There are two basic groups or classifications that can be used to define the different semiconductor types:
Intrinsic material: An intrinsic type of semiconductor material made to be very pure chemically. As a result it possesses a very low conductivity level having very few number of charge carriers, namely holes and electrons, which it possesses in equal quantities.
Extrinsic material: Extrinisc types of semiconductor are those where a small amount of impurity has been added to the basic intrinsic material. This ‘doping’ uses an element from a different periodic table group and in this way it will either have more or less electrons in the valence band than the semiconductor itself. This creates either an excess or shortage of electrons. In this way two types of semiconductor are available: Electrons are negatively charged carriers.
N-type: An N-type semiconductor material has an excess of electrons. In this way, free electrons are available within the lattices and their overall movement in one direction under the influence of a potential difference results in an electric current flow. This in an N-type semiconductor, the charge carriers are electrons.
P-type: In a P-type semiconductor material there is a shortage of electrons, i.e. there are ‘holes’ in the crystal lattice. Electrons may move from one empty position to another and in this case it can be considered that the holes are moving. This can happen under the influence of a potential difference and the holes can be seen to flow in one direction resulting in an electric current flow. It is actually harder for holes to move
than for free electrons to move and therefore the mobility of holes is less than that of free electrons. Holes are positively charged carriers.
Advantages of Semiconductor Devices
As semiconductor devices have no filaments, hence no power is needed to heat them to cause the emission of electrons.
Since no heating is required, semiconductor devices are set into operation as soon as the circuit is switched on.
During operation, semiconductor devices do not produce any humming noise.
Semiconductor devices require low voltage operation as compared to vacuum tubes.
Owing to their small sizes, the circuits involving semiconductor devices are very compact.
Semiconductor devices are shock proof.
Semiconductor devices are cheaper as compared to vacuum tubes.
Semiconductor devices have an almost unlimited life.
As no vacuum has to be created in semiconductor devices, they have no vacuum deterioration trouble.
Disadvantages of Semiconductor Devices
The noise level is higher in semiconductor devices as compared to that in the vacuum tubes.
Ordinary semiconductor devices cannot handle as more power as ordinary vacuum tubes can do.
In high frequency range, they have poor responder.,
Semiconductor devices are electronic components that use semiconductor materials to control the flow of electrical current. They are used in a wide variety of applications, including computers, telecommunications, and consumer electronics.
Semiconductor materials are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. The most common semiconductor materials are silicon and germanium.
Semiconductor devices are made by sandwiching a thin layer of semiconductor material between two layers of Metal. The metal layers are called electrodes, and they are used to apply voltage to the semiconductor material.
When voltage is applied to a semiconductor device, it creates an electric field in the semiconductor material. This electric field can control the flow of current through the semiconductor material.
There are many different types of semiconductor devices, each with its own unique properties and applications. Some of the most common types of semiconductor devices include transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
Transistors are semiconductor devices that can be used to amplify or switch electronic signals. They are the basic building blocks of most modern electronic devices.
Diodes are semiconductor devices that allow current to flow in one direction only. They are used in a variety of applications, including rectifiers, clippers, and detectors.
Integrated circuits are semiconductor devices that contain millions or even billions of transistors and other electronic components. They are used in a wide variety of applications, including computers, telecommunications, and consumer electronics.
Semiconductor devices have revolutionized the world of electronics. They have made possible the development of computers, telecommunications, and consumer electronics that are smaller, faster, and more powerful than ever before.
Semiconductor devices are also used in a variety of other applications, including medical devices, automotive electronics, and industrial controls.
The development of semiconductor devices has been driven by the need for smaller, faster, and more powerful electronic devices. The first semiconductor devices were developed in the early 1940s, and they have been constantly evolving ever since.
The future of semiconductor devices is very bright. New technologies are being developed all the time that will make semiconductor devices even smaller, faster, and more powerful. These new technologies will enable the development of even more amazing electronic devices in the years to come.
Here are some of the most common applications of semiconductor devices:
- Computers: Semiconductor devices are used in all types of computers, from personal computers to supercomputers.
- Telecommunications: Semiconductor devices are used in all types of telecommunications equipment, from telephones to satellites.
- Consumer electronics: Semiconductor devices are used in all types of consumer electronics, from televisions to MP3 players.
- Medical devices: Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of medical devices, from pacemakers to MRI machines.
- Automotive electronics: Semiconductor devices are used in all types of automotive electronics, from airbags to anti-lock brakes.
- Industrial controls: Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of industrial controls, from robots to power Plants.
Semiconductor devices are essential to the modern world. They are used in a wide variety of applications, and they are constantly being improved. The future of semiconductor devices is very bright.
What is a transistor?
A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and electrical power. It is composed of semiconductor material with at least three terminals for connection to an external circuit. A voltage or current applied to one pair of the transistor’s terminals changes the current through another pair of terminals. Because the controlled (output) power can be higher than the controlling (input) power, a transistor can amplify a signal. Today, some transistors are packaged individually, but many more are found embedded in integrated circuits.
What are the different types of transistors?
There are two main types of transistors: bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and field-effect transistors (FETs). BJTs are made of three semiconductor regions: the emitter, base, and collector. The emitter and collector are heavily doped with impurities, while the base is lightly doped. When a small voltage is applied to the base-emitter junction, it creates a large current flow between the emitter and collector. This is how BJTs amplify signals.
FETs are made of two semiconductor regions: the source and drain. The gate is a third region that is insulated from the source and drain. When a voltage is applied to the gate, it creates an electric field that attracts or repels electrons in the channel between the source and drain. This changes the resistance of the channel, which controls the current flow between the source and drain. This is how FETs amplify signals.
What are the advantages of transistors?
Transistors have many advantages over other electronic devices, including:
- They are small and lightweight.
- They are very efficient.
- They can be switched very quickly.
- They can be used to amplify signals.
- They can be used to switch electrical power.
What are the disadvantages of transistors?
Transistors also have some disadvantages, including:
- They can be damaged by high voltages or currents.
- They can be sensitive to heat.
- They can be expensive to manufacture.
- They can be difficult to repair.
What are some applications of transistors?
Transistors are used in a wide variety of applications, including:
- Amplifiers
- Switches
- Logic gates
- Integrated circuits
- Computers
- Radios
- Televisions
- Cell phones
- Microwave ovens
- Power supplies
- Automobiles
- Medical devices
- Industrial equipment
What is the future of transistors?
Transistors are constantly being improved, and new types of transistors are being developed all the time. It is likely that transistors will continue to play a major role in electronics for many years to come.
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic of semiconductor devices:
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What is the name of the device that is used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Capacitor
(D) Resistor -
What is the name of the device that is used to store an electric charge?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Capacitor
(D) Resistor -
What is the name of the device that is used to control the flow of current in an electric circuit?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Capacitor
(D) Resistor -
What is the name of the device that is used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC)?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Capacitor
(D) Rectifier -
What is the name of the device that is used to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC)?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Capacitor
(D) Inverter -
What is the name of the device that is used to generate Light?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) LED
(D) LASER -
What is the name of the device that is used to detect light?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Photodiode
(D) Phototransistor -
What is the name of the device that is used to store data?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Capacitor
(D) Memory -
What is the name of the device that is used to process data?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Microprocessor
(D) Computer -
What is the name of the device that is used to communicate data?
(A) Transistor
(B) Diode
(C) Integrated circuit
(D) Communication device