Electronics You Might Not Have Learned In College: Lesson 6 - Semiconductors

In Electronics You Might Not Have Learned In College: Lesson 6 - Semiconductors, you'll learn ...

• The atomic structure and operation of semiconductors, including how electron and hole movement enables conductivity between insulators and conductors.
• The principles of P-type and N-type doping and how combining these materials forms functional semiconductor devices such as diodes and transistors.
• The structure, operation, and applications of basic semiconductor components — diodes, Zener diodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and solar cells — with emphasis on forward and reverse bias.
• Modern semiconductor technologies and advancements, including MOSFETs, integrated microcircuits, and emerging materials such as doped diamonds for next-generation electronic devices.

Overview

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Credit: 3 PDH

Length: 62 pages

In this lesson, “LESSON 6 – SEMICONDUCTORS”, a short history of discoveries and developments of semiconductors is presented. After that, a more detailed description of semiconductors at an atomic level is discussed and diagrams are used to show how the lattice structure of silicon is doped to form P and N type substructures.

The construction and application of the simplest semiconductors, diodes, is introduced and the molecular operation of doped silicon in diodes is explained using simple water analogies of diode circuits. The molecular level operation of Zener diodes and their use for voltage regulation are also explained. Light emitting diodes (LED’s) and solar cells are also presented and described at a molecular level.

Transistors, the main workhorses of solid-state circuits, are detailed at a molecular level. The P and N doping and saturation region will be described using water analogies. The operation and methods to calculate the gain of transistors operating in their linear range will also be shown. Likewise, explained in detail is the extensive use of transistors working in their saturation range for switching circuits. Also, the many terms used to measure the performance of transistors will also be defined.

Use of solder terminals and bread boards for designing and testing circuits using discrete components will be deeply investigated. If one is experimenting with the use of modern semiconductors, mounting of individual transistors, diodes, resistors and capacitors is a skill that is still essential.

Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) have quickly replaced the great majority of conventional transistors in the semiconductor world. The making and operation of MOSFETs is explained in detail as are the difference and similarities to conventional transistors.

We also delve into the extreme miniaturization of semiconductors into microscopic circuit chips that use advanced methods to etch millions of Metal Oxide devices onto tiny microprocessors. We will also look into the amazing future of implantable microchips that are exploding in the world of medicine, space exploration, and robotics.

Finally, the use of diamonds is the newest area of semiconductors that we will explore. Even though they are still mainly in the research phase, doped diamonds are offering an amazing future of extremely fast microscopic semiconductors that were considered impossible only a few years ago.

Anyone in the technical sciences needs to acquire as much knowledge of the semiconductor world as possible. This lesson in semiconductors will provide engineers and the curious a good introductory foundation.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

• Introduction to Semiconductors, how they are used and how they are made
• How semiconductors work at the atomic level with illustrations explaining migration of electrons and holes
• P-type doping, how it works and how it is done.
• How the most basic semiconductor, diodes, are made using P and N doping.
• A look at diode doped silicon lattice structure and how it works
• A refresher on direction of current flow at an atomic level
• A look at the diode schematic symbol and why it is drawn in the way it is
• Explaination at an atomic level of the operation of forward biased (conducting) diodes and the forward bias voltage
• Atomic level illustrations and explaination of reverse biased (non-conducting) diodes
• A water analogy example for forward biased diodes
• A water analogy for reverse biased diodes
• How to read diode specification sheets and what the abbreviations mean
• The many different diode packages and their markings are explained
• How zener diodes are made and used
• How light emitting diodes (LED’s) are made and used
• How transistors are made and how they are used
• The basics of how transistors work
• How transistors are operated in their linear region and how their gain is determined
• How transistors are operated in their saturation region for switching circuits
• A water analogy is provided to explain operation of NPN transistor in their linear range
• How heating effects and overloading can damage transistors
• What the difference is between NPN and PNP transistors and also complimentary pairs
• How to read transistor specification and data sheets to pick out the proper components for a schematic design
• How to build prototype circuits using discrete componants vs integrated circuits
• How to use conventional terminal strips for breadboarding and prototypes
• How to use etched circuit boards for prototypes
• An introduction to Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETS)
• How a MOSFET works is explained on an atomic level
• How a MOSFET gate is constructed and how it is different from a transistor
• How MOSFETs are similar to standard solid state transistors
• What are the differences between MOSFETs and conventional junction transistors
• Many variations of MOSFET devices are introduced and explained
• How MOSFET technology is increasing the microminiaturization of intigrated circuitry
• What the future of semiconductors as circuits get even smaller and faster

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 25 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.