Definition

1. Noun:
   • A semiconductor device capable of amplification: A "junction transistor" is a specific type of transistor constructed from a semiconductor material (like silicon or germanium) with three distinct regions, forming two p-n junctions. It functions primarily to amplify electrical signals or act as an electrically controlled switch.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The engineer replaced the faulty junction transistor on the circuit board.
  • The invention of the junction transistor revolutionized modern electronics.
  • This amplifier design relies on a bipolar junction transistor for its gain stage.

Advanced Usage

• "Bipolar junction transistor (BJT)": This is the full technical name for the device, emphasizing that it uses both electron and hole charge carriers.
  • The characteristics of a bipolar junction transistor are plotted on its datasheet.

Variants and Related Words

• Transistor (n): The broader category of semiconductor devices for amplification and switching, which includes junction transistors and field-effect transistors (FETs).
  • Modern computers contain billions of transistors.
• BJT (n): A common abbreviation for "bipolar junction transistor."
  • The circuit schematic specified an NPN BJT.

Synonyms

• Bipolar transistor: A direct synonym emphasizing the bipolar nature of the charge carriers.
• Semiconductor amplifier: A descriptive term highlighting its material and primary function.

Related Phrases

• Transistor action: The physical process by which a transistor amplifies a signal.
  • Understanding transistor action is fundamental to electronics.
• Base, emitter, collector: The three terminals of a standard bipolar junction transistor.
  • The current entering the base terminal controls the current between the emitter and collector.

Noun

1. a semiconductor device capable of amplification