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Development-Scientific |
Development-Scientific |
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Development-Scientific |
Development-Scientific |
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Introduction to Semiconductors
This topic will introduce you to the concept of semiconductors which are an integral part in the making of transistors. |
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Semiconductor Diodes
The prerequisite information on diodes that later went on to give the birth to the semiconductor triode - otherwise known as the transistor. |
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Semiconductor Triodes
Another name for the transistor... |
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Types of Transistors
Learn the various types of transistors and how they function. |
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Amplification
This is the basic function of the transistor - and the most important one! |
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Switches
Next to amplification, this is the most common function of transistors. |
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Comparisions
Learn the analogies and the differences between the older vacuum tube triodes and the slicker new transistors. |
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Integrated circuits
These are the most common applications of transistors and go a long way in building powerful microprocessors and appliances. Learn the role that transistors play in them. |
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Microprocessors
These are the real brains of most electronic appliances around us. Explore the vital role played by their grey cells - transistors. |
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Appliances affected
Realize the full potential of these transistors through the various appliances they revolutionized, right from your digital watch to this PC. |
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The pre- and post-transistor world
To understand the impact of the transistor in its entirety, perceive what the world was before, and what it is after 1947 - when the transistor was invented. |
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Future trends
Revolution is an unending process. Take a sneak preview of where the transistors of the future are headed. |
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History
Understanding of the transistor becomes clearer when learnt in context of its evolutionary journey. Here, we have presented the most important landmarks in its journey of almost a century. |
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Build the transistor
Theoretical knowledge weighs nothing unless put to practice. Learn how the different types of transistors are built and build some on your own! |
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Learn the circuits
Learn how the actual amplification and switching takes place by building your own circuits and watching the current flow. |
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Drive-the-circuit
If you have the necessary stuff in your head, come and test drive a BJT amplification circuit! But watch out for the speed bumps along the way! |
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Message Boards
Leave your own messages and discuss different topics with fellow surfers. |
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Ask-a-mentor
Nobody's perfect...we are no exception. But we certainly try to be perfect. If you have any questions about transistors that were not answered in this site, ask our mentors... |
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Related links
Related links on the web about transistors. |
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Learners' Center
Discuss your views with other users of this site. There are topics like Message Board, Translate-the-site and Simplify-the-site! |
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Quizzes
These are quizzes to rack your grey cells. If you think that you have surfed this site entirely, solve these! They include Multiple choice questions and Scrambled words to solve! |
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Learn in a Flash
These are our step-by-step interactive tutorials to brief you up about the world of transistors. |
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Advanced Section
This section includes an in-detail explanation on this topic. For you to understand the Advanced section, you should have a basic knowledge of the fundamentals involved. To learn more, please select the section called Prerequisites from the bottom of the page. |
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Basic Section
Return to the Basic section. |
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Development of PCT
Learn the development of Point Contact Transistor. |
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Development of BJT
Learn the development of Bipolar Junction Transistor Transistor. |
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Development of JFET
Learn the development of Junction Field Effect Transistor. |
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Development of MOSFET
Learn the development of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor. |
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Scientific Aspects of PCT
Learn the scientific aspects of Point Contact Transistor. |
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Scientific Aspects of BJT
Learn the scientific aspects of Bipolar Junction Transistor. |
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Scientific Aspects of JFET
Learn the scientific aspects of Junction Field Effect Transistor. |
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Scientific Aspects of MOSFET
Learn the scientific aspects of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor. |
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Prerequisites
This section is meant to explain the fundamentals involved in the knowledgae of transistors! This page opens in new window |
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Site Map
This page will show the map of ...trailing the Transistor for your easier navigation. |
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Citations and Copyrights
A list of our sources and also copyright notices of material used in making this site. This page opens in new window |
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You are currently here:
Transistors -- Types -- Development of Point Contact Transistor |
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T
he point contact transistor was the first amplifying semiconductor device. Yes, by amplifying, we mean making a weak current stronger. Now we've been saying that the transistor is one of, if not the greatest invention of our time. And you may be thinking, "All it does is it makes weak currents larger?" In fact, apart from acting as a switch, that is all it does. It sounds like very little, but after reading this section, go to the Applications, where it is explained why these two functions are the two most important functions within the circuits of our everyday appliances.
Walter Brattain, a scientist and co-inventor of the transistor, let his actions speak louder than his words and built the first point contact transistor. Another colleague of his, and also co-inventor of the transistor, John Bardeen, informed Dr. Brattain that he would need to metal contacts to be within 0.002 inches of each other. Now if that sounds like a very small space to you, you're right, it is! The problem was that at the time, the smallest wire was three times the width they would require!
To conquer this problem, Brattain took a piece of gold foil, and wrapped it over the point of a plastic triangle. He proceeded to take a razor blade a slice the foil that lay on the point of the triangle. By doing this, he created a gap between two metal (in this case, the metal was gold foil) contacts, which lay only a hair-width apart. Getting spurred on by this moral victory, Brattain tried to see if his transistor would work. And when he tested it, it did! The first ever transistor had been invented!