Module: Electronics MT

3006
Topic: Semiconductors
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AIM

Understand the fundamentals of semi-conductor materials and the p-n junction.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Compare the atomic structure of conductors and semi-conductors.

 Describe the atomic structure of a silicon structure.
 Describe the flow of electrons and holes in intrinsic semi-conductors.
 Describe the doping of semi-conductors to increase the number of free
electrons and holes.
 Explain the conditions which exist at the p-n junction of an unbiased diode, a
forward biased diode, and a reversed-biased diode.
 Explain how avalanche breakdown occur.
 Describe the cause of minority-carrier current.
 Describe the characteristic curse of a diode.
 Read a data sheet and list the basic characteristics of a diode.

REFERENCE TEXTBOOK

1. Malvino Albert Paul, Electronic Principles (Sixth Edition), 1999

STUDENT ASSIGNMENT

Read Chapter 2 and part of Chapter 3 to achieve the above outcomes. Assess your
understanding by doing the self tests at the end of the chapters.

You may also do the assessment posted on Blackboard.

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PTM / Apr 2002 1
SP/SMA