Solid-state electronics: Difference between revisions
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{{otheruses|Solid state}} |
{{otheruses|Solid state}} |
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'''Solid-state''' [[electronics]] are those circuits built entirely from solid, often crystalline [[semiconductor]] |
'''Solid-state''' [[electronics]] are those circuits built entirely from solid, often crystalline [[semiconductor]]. While solid-state can include crystalline and amorphous solids and refer to [[electrical conductor]]s, [[insulator (electrical)|insulator]]s and [[semiconductor]]s, the building material is most often crystalline semiconductor.<ref>John Sydney Blakemore, ''Solid state physics'', page 1, Cambridge University Press, 1985 ISBN 0521313910.</ref><ref>Richard C. Jaeger, Travis N. Blalock, ''Microelectronic circuit design'', pp46-47, McGraw-Hill Professional, 2003 ISBN 0072505036.</ref><ref>Sabrie Soloman, ''Sensors handbook'', page 23.18, McGraw-Hill Professional, 1998 ISBN 0070596301.</ref> The term is often used to contrast with the earlier technologies of [[vacuum tube|vacuum]] and [[gas-discharge tube]]s and [[electro-mechanical]] devices. Common solid-state devices include [[transistor]]s, [[microprocessor]] chips, and [[DRAM]]. There is a considerable amount of [[Electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] and [[quantum mechanics|quantum-mechanical]] action takes place within the device. The expression became prevalent in the 1950s and the 1960s, during the transition from [[vacuum tube]] technology to semiconductor [[diode]]s and [[transistor]]s. More recently, the [[integrated circuit]] (IC), the [[light-emitting diode]] (LED), and the [[liquid-crystal display]] (LCD) have evolved as further examples of solid-state devices. |
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In a solid-state component, the [[Electric current|current]] is confined to solid elements and compounds engineered specifically to switch and amplify it. Current flow can be understood in two forms: as negatively-charged [[electron]]s, and as positively-charged electron deficiencies called [[electron hole]]s or just "holes". In some semiconductors, the current consists mostly of electrons; in other semiconductors, it consists mostly of "holes". Both the electron and the hole are called charge carriers. |
In a solid-state component, the [[Electric current|current]] is confined to solid elements and compounds engineered specifically to switch and amplify it. Current flow can be understood in two forms: as negatively-charged [[electron]]s, and as positively-charged electron deficiencies called [[electron hole]]s or just "holes". In some semiconductors, the current consists mostly of electrons; in other semiconductors, it consists mostly of "holes". Both the electron and the hole are called charge carriers. |
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Revision as of 15:10, 26 July 2009
Solid-state electronics are those circuits built entirely from solid, often crystalline semiconductor. While solid-state can include crystalline and amorphous solids and refer to electrical conductors, insulators and semiconductors, the building material is most often crystalline semiconductor.[1][2][3] The term is often used to contrast with the earlier technologies of vacuum and gas-discharge tubes and electro-mechanical devices. Common solid-state devices include transistors, microprocessor chips, and DRAM. There is a considerable amount of electromagnetic and quantum-mechanical action takes place within the device. The expression became prevalent in the 1950s and the 1960s, during the transition from vacuum tube technology to semiconductor diodes and transistors. More recently, the integrated circuit (IC), the light-emitting diode (LED), and the liquid-crystal display (LCD) have evolved as further examples of solid-state devices.
In a solid-state component, the current is confined to solid elements and compounds engineered specifically to switch and amplify it. Current flow can be understood in two forms: as negatively-charged electrons, and as positively-charged electron deficiencies called electron holes or just "holes". In some semiconductors, the current consists mostly of electrons; in other semiconductors, it consists mostly of "holes". Both the electron and the hole are called charge carriers.
For data storage, solid-state devices are much faster and more reliable but are usually more expensive. Although solid-state costs continually drop, disks, tapes, and optical disks also continue to improve their cost/performance ratio.
The first solid-state device was the "cat's whisker" detector, first used in 1930s radio receivers. A whisker-like wire was moved around on a solid crystal (such as a germanium crystal) in order to detect a radio signal.[4] The solid-state device came into its own with the invention of the transistor in 1947.
Examples of non-solid-state electronic components are vacuum tubes and cathode-ray tubes (CRTs).
See also
References
- ^ John Sydney Blakemore, Solid state physics, page 1, Cambridge University Press, 1985 ISBN 0521313910.
- ^ Richard C. Jaeger, Travis N. Blalock, Microelectronic circuit design, pp46-47, McGraw-Hill Professional, 2003 ISBN 0072505036.
- ^ Sabrie Soloman, Sensors handbook, page 23.18, McGraw-Hill Professional, 1998 ISBN 0070596301.
- ^ http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/solid+state Free dictionary
Further reading
- Netbook Trends and Solid-State Technology Forecast (PDF). pricegrabber.com. p. 7. Retrieved 2009-01-28.