What elements are in a diode?

Question

What two elements are of the periodic table are brought together to make the diode? Similarly, what types of materials and elements of the periodic table are brought together to make a NPN transistor? Could you explain how these elements work in each? Thanks

Answer 1

The answer is right there in your question… Nitrogen/Phosphorous/Nitrogen.

The solid state transistor are pieces of SiO2 glass that have these elements “doped” into them. The Wiki has a decent description.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-p-n_transistor

They use other elements to make NPN junctions like Gallium/Arsenide.

Answer 2

A great many combinations of materials create diodes. Germanium and selenium crystals for example. Even before these were discovered, gaseous diodes (radio tubes) were used. If a copper wire has corrosion on the outside, the corrosion layer in contact with the copper makes a diode.

In essence a transistor is two diodes with a common anode.

You can look for "diode" on the Internet for more info.