Semiconductor Device Fundamentals and Physics

Learn Semiconductor Device Fundamentals & Physics in Detail.

Here we Learn Semiconductor Device Fundamentals & Physics – Types of Semiconductor Devices and Applications, How it Works, Electron and Electricity.

Semiconductor Devices

What is a Semiconductor Device?

A device made with semi-conducting material is called a semiconductor device.

Semiconductors are made up of a substance with electrical properties intermediate between a good conductor and a good insulator. A semiconductor device conducts electricity poorly at room temperature, but has increasing conductivity at higher temperatures.

Example: Metalloids are usually good semiconductors.

Material, such as germanium, gallium arsenide and silicon are some of the good semiconductor substances.

How Semiconductor Works?

In order to understand Semiconductor Device Fundamentals and how semiconductor devices work one needs a more complete description of the nature of charge in the real world. Charge does not exist independently; it is carried by subatomic particles.

For this discussion we will be understand electrons, that carry negative charge of 1.6 × 10-19 C , the minimum amount of charge that can exist in isolation.

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Structure of an Atom

Structure of an Atom

 

Understand structure of an atom to understand Semiconductor Device Fundamentals.

Electrons are one component of atoms and molecules. Atoms are the building blocks out of which all matter is constructed. Atoms bond with each other to form substances. Substances composed of just one type of atom are called elements.

For example, copper, gold and silver are all elements; that is, each of them consists of only one type of atom.

More complex substances are made up of more than one atom and are known as compounds.

Water, which has both hydrogen and oxygen atoms, is such a compound. The smallest unit of a compound is a molecule. A water molecule, for example, contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Atoms themselves are made up of even smaller components: protons, neutrons and electrons.

Protons and neutrons form the nucleus of an atom, while the electrons orbit the nucleus. Protons carry positive charge and electrons carry negative charge; the magnitude of the charge for both particles is the same, one quantum charge, 1.6 ×10-19 C . Neutrons are not charged.

Normally, atoms have the same number of protons and electrons and have no net electrical charge.

Fundamentals of Electron and Electricity

Electrons that are far from the nucleus are relatively free to move around under the influence of external fields because the force of attraction from the positive charge in the nucleus is weak at large distances. In fact, it takes little force in many cases to completely remove an outer electron from an atom, leaving an ion with a net positive charge.

Once free, electrons can move at speeds approaching the speed of light (roughly 670 million miles per hour) through metals, gases and vacuum. They can also become attached to another atom, forming an ion with net negative charge.

Electric current in metal conductors consists of a flow of free electrons. Because electrons have negative charge, the flow of electrons is in a direction opposite to the positive current. Free electrons traveling through a conductor drift until they hit other electrons attached to atoms. These electrons are then dislodged from their orbits and replaced by the formerly free electrons. The newly freed electrons then start the process anew.

At the microscopic level, electron flow through a conductor is not a steady stream, like water flowing from a faucet, but rather a series of short bursts.

Semiconductor Devices

Here is List of common semiconductor devices used in electronics:

  1. DIAC (bi-directional semiconductor switch)
  2. Diodes – Rectifier Diode, Laser diode, LED, PIN Diode, Zener Diode
  3. Photocell, Phototransistor, Solar cell
  4. Transistors – Bipolar transistor, Field-effect transistor (FET), Unijunction transistor
  5. Silicon rectifier,Thyristor
  6. Magnetic field sensor, Photocoupler (Optocoupler)

Semiconductor Device Applications

Semiconductor are nothing but electronic components. Like all other devices, they can be used in an electronic circuit in different combinations to do different work.

For example, transistors can be used as switch and building blocks of logic gates.

Advantages of Semiconductor Devices

  1. Semiconductor devices don’t need any power to heat and emit electrons. They start functioning as soon as the circuit is switched on.
  2. Semiconductor devices do not produce any noise during functioning.
  3. These devices need very low voltage to operate.
  4. Semiconductor devices are small in size and occupy less space on any Type of Printed Circuit Board.
  5. They are shock proof.
  6. Cheaper than vacuum tubes.
  7. Long life.

Disadvantages of Semiconductor Devices

  1. Poor performance in high frequency.
  2. Cannot tolerate high power.

Conclusion

I hope Semiconductor Device Fundamentals and Physics is clear now. Free free to share with others and do not hesitate to ask any question via comment.

FAQs: Types of Semiconductor Devices

Transistors are semiconductor devices that amplify or switch electronic signals and power. They consist of three layers: the emitter, base, and collector. By applying a small current to the base, a larger current can flow between the emitter and collector, allowing precise control of electrical signals.

An integrated circuit, or IC, is a complex semiconductor device that contains thousands to billions of transistors and other electronic components on a single chip. ICs are the building blocks of modern electronics, enabling compact and efficient devices like microprocessors, memory chips, and sensors.

Diodes are semiconductor devices that allow current to flow in one direction while blocking it in the other. They're commonly used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), protect circuits from voltage spikes, and enable signal modulation in communication systems.

Semiconductor devices are essential to modern life, powering devices like smartphones, computers, televisions, and medical equipment. They're used in transportation systems, renewable energy sources, and communication networks, contributing to advancements in fields like healthcare, entertainment, and technology.

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Santosh Das

Santosh, founder of this Electronics Tutorial Website, is an Electronics Geek, Blogger and Young Entrepreneur. He possesses vast experience in the field of electronics, electronic components, PCB, Soldering, SMT, Telecommunication, ESD Safety, and PCB Assembly Tools, Equipment and Consumables. Keep visiting for daily dose of Tips and Tutorials.

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16 Responses

  1. Ulhas Kolambkar says:

    Though zero I have this subject, wish to enter this field of semiconductor and its production etc. Hence feasibility report required.

  2. Deltek Powerlines says:

    Thank you for great information.

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