Band Theory and Semiconductors

<p>It consists of recombined charge carriers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Amorphous semiconductors (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An internal electric field (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Forms majority carrier holes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Flexible and lightweight (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It allows current to flow like a closed switch. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Half-wave rectification. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It contains tightly bound electrons primarily involved in chemical bonding. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It dictates whether a material behaves as a conductor, insulator, or semiconductor. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It acts as an open circuit blocking current. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It provides a more stable DC output. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They are entirely pure without intentional impurities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It contains free electrons that enhance electrical conductivity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It clips the voltage to a certain level. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To shift the waveform DC level without altering its shape. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They create electron-hole pairs, allowing current flow. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Their unique electrical properties stem from their intermediate resistance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Two or four diodes in a bridge rectifier. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It produces a pulsating DC signal from only the positive half-cycles. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Holes serve as positive charge carriers facilitating current flow. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It allows current to flow at a specific reverse voltage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Signal amplification (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Zener voltage (VZ) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Resistor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>For rectifying and combining AC input to double voltage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Current starts to flow and stabilizes at VZ. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It limits the current through the Zener diode. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Provide a stable reference voltage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>0.7V (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It increases rapidly (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Operating / Q point (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leakage current in nanoampere to microampere range (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Zener diode (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Saturation point (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It acts like an open circuit (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To determine optimal resistor values and operating conditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>No net current flows and the junction is in equilibrium. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Electrons move from the n-type region to the p-type region. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Only a small leakage current flows due to the increased barrier potential. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To facilitate current flow in one direction only. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It decreases, allowing easier movement of charge carriers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It describes the relationship between the applied voltage and resulting current. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A large current begins to flow due to the breakdown of the junction. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Silicon with 0.7 volts. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The energy range where electrons are normally found at absolute zero temperature. These electrons are tightly bound to atoms and don't contribute much to electrical conductivity.

The energy range above the valence band. It's usually empty at absolute zero but can hold electrons that gain enough energy to jump from the valence band. These electrons are free to move, enabling electrical conductivity.

The energy difference between the top of the valence band and the bottom of the conduction band. It determines whether a material is a conductor, insulator, or semiconductor.

Materials with electrical properties between conductors (like metals) and insulators (like glass). They have intermediate resistance, allowing controlled electron flow. Silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) are common examples.

A pure semiconductor with no intentional impurities or doping agents. Its properties are determined by its natural composition.

When an electron jumps from the valence band to the conduction band, it leaves a 'hole' behind. This hole acts like a positive charge carrier, contributing to current flow in semiconductors.

Semiconductors categorized by their purity and doping methods. They include intrinsic semiconductors and extrinsic semiconductors.

The electric potential difference across a p-n junction when no external voltage is applied. It's usually around 0.7 volts for silicon and 0.3 volts for germanium.

When a positive voltage is applied to the p-type side and a negative voltage to the n-type side of a p-n junction, it reduces the barrier potential, allowing current to flow through the junction.

When a negative voltage is applied to the p-type side and a positive voltage to the n-type side of a p-n junction, it increases the barrier potential, effectively blocking current flow.

The breakdown voltage is the critical reverse voltage at which a p-n junction experiences a sudden surge in current.

A semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction (forward bias) but blocks it in the opposite direction (reverse bias).

The relationship between the voltage applied across a diode and the resulting current flow.

When a diode is connected to a DC circuit, its behavior is primarily determined by its biasing condition: forward bias or reverse bias.

A diode in forward bias allows current to flow through it, while in reverse bias it blocks current flow.

A diode allows current to flow through it in one direction (forward bias) and blocks it in the opposite direction (reverse bias).

The process of converting AC voltage into DC voltage.

A type of rectification that uses a single diode to allow only the positive half-cycle of the AC waveform to pass through. The output is a pulsating DC signal.

A type of rectification that uses two or four diodes to allow both the positive and negative half-cycles of the AC waveform to pass through. The output is a smoother DC signal.

A circuit that limits the voltage of an AC signal to a specific level. This is achieved by using diodes to shunt current away from the load when the voltage exceeds a certain value.

A circuit that shifts the entire waveform of an AC signal up or down to ensure it stays within a specific voltage range.

The voltage required to turn a diode ‘on’ and let current flow.

A diode placed in parallel with the load limits the voltage across the load to the diode's forward voltage.

A semiconductor material that has been intentionally doped with a trivalent element (like boron, aluminum, or gallium), resulting in an excess of 'holes' (empty spaces where electrons should be). Holes act as the majority charge carriers in p-type semiconductors, while electrons are minority carriers.

A semiconductor material doped with a pentavalent element (like phosphorus, arsenic, or antimony), creating an excess of free electrons. Electrons become the majority charge carriers in n-type semiconductors, while holes are minority carriers.

A semiconductor device formed by joining a p-type semiconductor with an n-type semiconductor. This junction creates a barrier to charge flow, enabling the control of electrical current. It forms the basis for many semiconductor devices.

The region near the p-n junction where free charge carriers (electrons and holes) have recombined, leaving behind immobile ions. This region acts as an insulator due to the lack of free carriers.

The electric field that exists across the depletion region of a p-n junction. This field arises due to the fixed positive and negative ions on either side of the junction and prevents further charge recombination. It is also the driving force for current flow in a diode.

Semiconductors formed by combining elements from groups III and V of the periodic table, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium phosphide (InP). These semiconductors often have properties like higher electron mobility, direct band gaps, or specific wavelength sensitivities, making them ideal for specific applications.

Semiconductors made from organic materials (carbon-based compounds) with semiconducting properties. They are often flexible and lightweight but have lower conductivity than inorganic semiconductors.

Semiconductors that lack long-range atomic order, like amorphous silicon. They have lower mobility due to their disordered structure but can still be useful in certain applications.

The state of a diode where significant current flows when the applied voltage exceeds a specific threshold value. This threshold is about 0.7V for silicon diodes and 0.3V for germanium diodes.

The amount of current flowing through a forward-biased diode increases rapidly as the applied voltage increases. This relationship between voltage and current follows an exponential curve.

A graphical representation showing how the current flowing through a diode changes with the applied voltage. Its shape is a non-linear exponential curve due to the diode's properties.

A straight line on the I-V characteristic curve that depicts the relationship between voltage and current in the rest of the circuit (usually a resistor).

The point where the load line and the I-V characteristic curve intersect. This point reveals the operating conditions of the diode in the circuit.

The state of a diode where it acts like a barrier, preventing current flow. Only a tiny leakage current (very small) flows through the diode in this condition.

A specific voltage level for each diode where it suddenly starts to conduct current in the reverse direction. It's not desirable in regular diodes, but is useful in Zener diodes for voltage regulation.

A reverse-biased diode behaves like an open circuit, halting the flow of current. Almost no current can pass through it under normal reverse bias conditions.

A specialized diode operating in reverse bias, allowing current flow only when the reverse voltage exceeds its breakdown voltage (VZ).

The specific reverse voltage at which a Zener diode begins conducting current. The voltage across the diode remains stable at this value even during conduction.

Voltage regulator circuits use Zener diodes to maintain a constant output voltage regardless of input voltage fluctuations or load changes. The Zener diode provides a stable reference voltage for the circuit.

A Zener diode connected in parallel with a component to be protected absorbs voltage spikes exceeding its VZ, preventing damage to the sensitive component.

Zener diodes offer a stable reference voltage utilized in various electronic circuits like analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and measurement systems.

A circuit that uses diodes to double the peak input voltage. The diodes rectify the AC input and then combine it to create a higher output voltage.

In forward bias, a Zener diode acts like a regular diode, allowing current to flow with a typical forward voltage drop. However, in reverse bias beyond VZ, it acts differently, ensuring a stable voltage drop.

The Zener diode allows current flow in reverse bias even after breakdowns. It is designed for this characteristic, unlike standard diodes, providing a stable voltage for applications requiring it.