semiconductor device
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A semiconductor device is an electronic component that uses the unique electrical properties of semiconductor materials (like silicon or germanium) to perform specific functions in a circuit. Its conductivity lies between that of a good conductor (like metal) and a good insulator (like glass), and it can be controlled by external conditions such as voltage, current, or light.
Usage
A semiconductor device is the fundamental building block of modern electronics. It is used as a discrete component or as part of an integrated circuit (microchip). The term is used to describe the physical component itself. - Common Contexts: Electrical engineering, physics, consumer electronics, computing. - Grammar: Typically used as a countable noun.
Examples
- The invention of the transistor, a key , revolutionized electronics.
- This factory manufactures various , including diodes and thyristors.
- The performance of the computer depends on the quality of its .
Advanced Usage
- Compound Term: While "semiconductor device" itself is the target term, in technical literature, it is often the hypernym for more specific devices. For example, one might say, "Diodes and transistors are both types of ."
Variants and Related Words
- Semiconductor (n): The material (e.g., silicon) from which semiconductor devices are made.
- Solid-state device (n): A closely related term emphasizing that the device uses solid semiconductor material without moving parts or vacuum spaces.
Synonyms
- Solid-state component: A synonym emphasizing the physical state of the material.
- Chip (n): Informal, but often refers to an integrated circuit, which is a complex assembly of microscopic semiconductor devices.
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Semiconductor industry: The economic sector involved in the research, design, and manufacture of semiconductor devices.
- Semiconductor physics: The branch of physics that studies the properties of semiconductors and the principles behind semiconductor devices.
Noun
- a conductor made with semiconducting material