Tag Archives: Semiconductors

How Does Switching Affect Semiconductors?

Even though ICs rule the world of electronics, the transistor does all the work. Within each IC are millions upon millions of transistors perpetually switching on and off so that the IC can carry out its intended functions. Even if one of the multitudes of transistors were to stop switching, the IC could lose part or all of its functionality. Circuits handling digital signals most often use transistors to switch from a high state to a low state and vice versa. It is usual to call a circuit point Read more [...]

Phosphorene Challenges Graphene as a Semiconductor

Though silicon has been the basis of semi-conductors for decades, it is facing stiff competition from other materials that promise to deliver several extras to consumers who like to enjoy more flexibility with their gadgets. For some time, graphene, a one atom thick allotrope of carbon has been under consideration for use in electronic devices because its thin structure allows electrons to travel across it much more rapidly than they would do across silicon. However, graphene has severe limitations, Read more [...]

Synthetic Diamond Manages Power

Power delivery using semiconductor devices is increasing at a rapid pace. This is evident from different forms of power delivered, whether it is controlled power through power inverters, or RF power through amplifiers. Power is necessary to operate nearly everything, such as for alternative forms of energy generation, electric vehicles, radar systems, cellular base stations and even smartphones. However, semiconductor devices need to dissipate the heat they generate, and this poses a stringent challenge Read more [...]

Available Methods of Marking Semiconductors

Semiconductor Markings - Available Methods Traditionally, most components have two or three lines of identifying marks plus a company logo. Over time, the manufacturer codes have become more involved to incorporate a component's identification plus the complete history of the process. Early on, it was the military applications that required very specific markings and identification processes. Current package markings are a by-product of those military requirements. When a semiconductor is clearly Read more [...]