Practical Electronics for Inventors, Fourth Edition, 4th Edition

CHAPTER 4

Semiconductors

4.1 Semiconductor Technology

The most important and perhaps most exciting electrical devices used today are built from semiconductive materials. Electronic devices, such as diodes, transistors, thyristors, thermistors, photovoltaic cells, phototransistors, photoresistors, lasers, and integrated circuits, are all made from semiconductive materials, or semiconductors.

FIGURE 4.1

4.1.1 What Is a Semiconductor?

Materials are classified by their ability to conduct electricity. Substances that easily pass an electric current, such as silver and copper, are referred to as conductors. Materials that have a difficult ...