Semiconductors control energy flow in electronics and can be modified by electric fields, light, pressure, and heat. Diodes and transistors are common semiconductor devices, with MOSFETs providing the most control. Silicon is the most commonly used material for manufacturing, with other materials also used. Devices include diodes, transistors, and multi-terminal devices for various jobs.
A semiconductor is used to manipulate the flow of energy within an electronic environment. Semiconductor devices are the many manipulations of this technology to provide specific control over energy. These devices are found in many forms and within many types of electronics.
Semiconductor devices are made up of material that can be easily manipulated to control how power reaches an electronic device. Semiconductors can be modified using the induction of an electric field, exposure to light, pressure and heat. These devices consist of material with holes, which are positive, or p-type, and material with extra electrons, which are negative, or n-type.
Diodes are some of the most common semiconductor devices due to their simple construction. This device is composed of a single p-type semiconductor and a single n-type semiconductor. The disadvantage of a diode is that it does not pass large amounts of energy, due to its small capacitance.
Transistors are more complicated forms of semiconductor devices. These consist of different combinations of p-type and n-type semiconductors. These allow more energy to pass through due to their larger size. They can also be customized to suit specific jobs. Some of the more popular types of transistors include bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors, and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs).
A MOSFET is the most popular form of semiconductor device because it provides the most control over conductivity. Its construction includes an electric field that works like a gate, controlling the flow of energy. It is commonly known as a metal gate, but it does not contain any metal. Instead, it’s made from a material known as polysilicon.
Semiconductor devices are made from a variety of materials other than polysilicon. Silicon is by far the most commonly used material in semiconductor device manufacturing due to its low cost and wide temperature range. Geranium was one of the earliest materials used for construction, but its limited temperature threshold has seen it surpassed by others. Indium and silicon carbide are other popular materials.
These materials are used to build a variety of devices. These include two-terminal diode devices, such as an alternating current diode (DIAC), Gunn diodes, and photocells; and three-terminal devices, such as bipolar transistors, Darlington transistors, and field-effect transistors. There are also devices available that include four or more terminals for a variety of jobs.
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