crystal rectifier
Definition
- Noun:
- A semiconductor device: Specifically, a "crystal rectifier" is a semiconductor component that allows electric current to flow in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction. Its operation is based on the properties of a p-n junction formed within a semiconductor crystal.
Usage and Examples
- Noun:
- The early radio receivers often used a crystal rectifier to detect signals.
- A crystal rectifier is a fundamental component for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: In electronics, "crystal rectifier" is a historical term largely synonymous with a semiconductor diode. It emphasizes the use of a crystalline semiconductor material (like germanium or silicon) to achieve rectification.
- The point-contact crystal rectifier was a key invention in the development of modern electronics.
Variants and Related Words
- Semiconductor diode: A more general modern term for a two-terminal electronic component with a p-n junction.
- Diode: A common abbreviation and broader category that includes crystal rectifiers.
- p-n junction: The fundamental structure within a semiconductor that provides its rectifying properties.
Synonyms
- Diode
- Semiconductor diode
- Rectifier (in a general sense, though this can also refer to other rectifying devices or circuits)
Related Terms and Phrases
- Rectification: The process of converting alternating current to direct current, which is the function of a crystal rectifier.
- Forward bias: The condition where the crystal rectifier allows current to flow.
- Reverse bias: The condition where the crystal rectifier blocks current flow.
Noun
-
a semiconductor that consists of a p-n junction
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
