What is transistor? How transistor works?

Your brain contains around a 100billion cells called neurons – the tiny switches let you think and remember things. The computer contains billions of miniature called transistors. It is made up of silicon, a chemical element that is commonly found in sand. It is invented by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley. So let us see what a is transistor: -

 

Source - Google

 

What is the Transistor?

 

The transistor is a semiconductor device that transfers a week signal from a low resistance circuit to a high resistance circuit. It basically acts as a switch and an amplifier. In simple words, we can say that a transistor is a miniature device used to control or regulate the flow of electronic signals. It is one of the most key components in most electronic devices. It can work either as an amplifier or a switch. The transistor consists of two diode-connected back to back. There are three terminals for a transistor: -

Source - Google

1} Collector: - It is the positive lead of the transistor. It is in the left part of the diode.

2} Base: - This is used to activate the transistor. It is the middle section, which is made up of thin layers.

3} Emitter: - It is the negative lead of the transistor. It is in the right part of the diode.

                       [ These names are given as common terminal of the transistor ]

Source - Google

There are mainly two types of transistor: -

 

1} Bipolar Junction Transistor – The three terminals of BJT are Base, Emitter, and collector. A minimal current flowing between base and emitter can control a larger current flow between the collector and emitter terminal. Further, there are two types of BJT: -

 

1] P-N-P transistor – The type of BJT where one n-type material is introduced or placed between two p-type material.

Source - Google

2] N-P-N transistor – In this, we will find one p-type material present between two n-type material.

Source - Google

 

Advantages of transistor

1} Lower cost and smaller size.

2} low operating voltage.

3} Extremely long life.

4} No power consumption.

5} Fast Switching.

6} Used to develop a single integrated circuit.

7} Smaller mechanical sensitivity.

 

Source - Google

 

Limitation of Transistor

1} Transistor lack higher electron mobility

2} It can be easily damaged when electrical and thermal events arise.

3} These are affected by cosmic rays and radiation.

 

Source - Google

How does the transistor work?

 

Let us now look at the working of the transistor. We know that the transistor is made up of silicon because of its high voltage ratings, higher current, and less temperature sensitivity. And also, we know that it consists of a three-terminal base, emitter, and collector. A transistor works when the electrons and the holes start moving across the two junctions between the n-type and p-types silicon. In the transistor, the base is used as a gate to control the larger electrical supply. The collector is used as a larger electrical supply, and the emitter is working as the outlet for this supply. By applying different electric current levels from the base, the amount of flowing current through the gate from the collector can be regulated. In this way, a minimal amount of current may be used to control a large amount of current, as in an amplifier.

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Oct 4, 2020, 9:22 AM - NewsWorld
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