How do transistors work?

Answer 1

The basic function of a transistor is to control current flow. They are a semiconductor that consists of three different areas that have been doped. Doping of a base semiconductor material gives it an excess of charge carriers. In N-type doping, these current carriers are excess electons. In P-type doping, these current carriers are called 'holes'. They are basically places in the crytsal structure of the semiconductor that can grab electrons from neighboring atoms. Both the free electrons in N-type and the holes in P-type can easily move around and carry charge (and hence, move current).

Transistors are formed by sandwiching one type of doped semiconductor between two pieces of the other type. So transistors material has one of two configurations:

NPN (P-type sandwiched between 2 N-types)
PNP (N-type sandwiched between 2 P-types)

This configuration determines in what direction the transistor conducts current. There is a terminal on all three pieces of doped semiconductor. The center terminal is used to control current flow from one of the outer sides to the other.

Transistors are made to function one of two ways. The first is called the Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT), the other is called the Field Effect Transistor (FET). Both types can be made using either NPN or PNP.

BJT use a very narrow slice in the center, called the Base (B). The other two terminals are the Collector (C) and the Emitter (C). When a voltage is applied between the B-E junction, charge carriers of the Base flow into the Emitter. This causes excess carriers in the Emitter (the opposite type of those in the Base) to flood the Base region. These are swept into the Collector region, creating a current flow between Emitter and Collector. A small current between B-E will create a larger current from C-E. BJTs directly amplify current this way.

FET use a wide slice of semiconductor in the center, called the Gate. The Gate (G) normally prevents current from flowing between the two outer pieces, called the Source (S) and Drain (D). With no voltage on the Gate, charge carriers cannot move between S-D. As voltage is applied to the Gate, charge carriers can pass and current flows between S-D. FETs use voltage to control current flow.

Answer 2

A transistor is a semiconductor device, commonly used as an amplifier or an electrically controlled switch. The transistor is the fundamental building block of the circuitry that governs the operation of computers, cellular phones, and all other modern electronics.

Because of its fast response and accuracy, the transistor may be used in a wide variety of digital and analog functions, including amplification, switching, voltage regulation, signal modulation, and oscillators. Transistors may be packaged individually or as part of an integrated circuit, which may hold millions of transistors in a very small area.

Answer 3

How Do Transistors Work

Answer 4

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