In this basic electronic devices summary is given. Best for quick revision before electronics exam or Interview. Starting with semiconductor physics then diodes, transistors operation and working is included in this documents.
• Materials that permit flow of electrons are called
conductors (e.g., gold, silver, copper, etc.).
• Materials that block flow of electrons are called
insulators (e.g., rubber, glass, Teflon, mica, etc.).
• Materials whose conductivity falls between those
of conductors and insulators are called germanium
semiconductors. Semiconductors
silicon
• Semiconductors are “part-time” conductors
whose conductivity can be controlled.
, Semiconductor —II
• Silicon is the most common material used to build semiconductor devices.
• Si is the main ingredient of sand and it is estimated that a cubic mile of seawater
contains 15,000 tons of Si.
• Si is spun and grown into a crystalline structure and cut into wafers to make
electronic devices.
, Semiconductor —III
• Atoms in a pure silicon wafer contains four electrons in outer orbit (called valence
electrons).
– Germanium is another semiconductor material with four valence electrons.
• In the crystalline lattice structure of Si, the valence electrons of every Si atom are
locked up in covalent bonds with the valence electrons of four neighboring Si atoms.
– In pure form, Si wafer does not contain any free charge carriers.
– An applied voltage across pure Si wafer does not yield electron flow through the wafer.
– A pure Si wafer is said to act as an insulator.
• In order to make useful semiconductor devices, materials such as phosphorus (P) and
boron (B) are added to Si to change Si’s conductivity.
4 valence electrons
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