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16 votes
3 answers
8k views

Can a thyristor be built from two transistors?

Supposedly, an SCR/thyristor is just a simple, four layer PNPN semiconductor. If that's the case.. When a circuit calls for a SCR/thyristor, and there isn't one available, can it be substituted by (...
voices's user avatar
  • 1,089
14 votes
1 answer
8k views

Where are the depletion PMOS transistors?

In school, I was taught about PMOS and NMOS transistors, and about enhancement- and depletion-mode transistors. Here's the short version of what I understand: Enhancement means that the channel is ...
Stephen Collings's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Are BJTs used in modern integrated circuits to the same extent as MOSFETs?

On modern integrated circuits, are there as much BJT's on the chip as MOSFET transistor? If not, why?
Phaptitude's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
18k views

Why can current flow through the reverse biased base-collector junction (N-P junction) in a BJT with a forward biased base-emitter junction?

If the base-emitter junction of a BJT is forward biased, then current can flow through the reverse biased base-collector junction (N-P junction). This disagrees with my understanding of the PN ...
Blue7's user avatar
  • 1,655
6 votes
4 answers
949 views

In a JFET, is the gate *always* connected to the bulk/substrate?

In a JFET, is the gate always connected to the bulk/substrate ? Or is there "no rule" (sometimes it is, sometimes it is not)? And what about the case of the MOSFET ?
Mathieu Krisztian's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Modelling and simulating multiple-collector/emitter BJTs

I occasionally like to try to understand how well-known integrated circuits work by building them up in a simulator and observing how they respond to changing conditions. However, I keep coming across ...
Hearth's user avatar
  • 35.2k
3 votes
5 answers
3k views

Why reverse connected MOSFET start to turn on at Vgs<Vth?

The circuit shown below is implemented using two AO3400 N-MOSFETs. AO4300 datasheet here. The right-hand MOSFET is connected with normal polarity (Vds is positive), while the left-hand MOSFET is ...
ssa2's user avatar
  • 93
2 votes
1 answer
282 views

Why aren't semiconductor wafers diced into triangles?

Semiconductor wafers are circular, and usually they are divided into squares or rectangles. However it's more efficient to pack triangles into circles than it is rectangles, so less wafer area would ...
Harry Brooke's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Identifying parts of a transistor die

In books, I have studied that in a Transistor, the Base is the layer sandwiched in between Collector an Emitter. Wikipedia also mentions that "The base is physically located between the emitter ...
Rupesh Routray's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why Collector-to-Base currents ratio in a BJT transistor is always greater than 1?

In fact, this question has been asked on the EE site, but it's not well-answered. I suppose it might be more on-topic here. According to this answer: Note that the holes injected into Emitter are ...
nalzok's user avatar
  • 329
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

If the depletion layer of a transistor collector/base junction is thick, why are majority carriers still collected?

In "Principles of transistor circuits, 8th edition" (top of p26) it is said that once holes have been injected in the base region by a forward biased base-emitter junction (which I understand) of a ...
Mister Mystère's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why is the Collector current of a BJT transistor independent of the Collector Base voltage?

Ignoring the modulation of the effective base width, why is the collector current independent of the reverse bias voltage across the Base-Collector P-N junction? On one hand, it is easy to see that ...
MAM's user avatar
  • 1,831
0 votes
3 answers
2k views

How exactly does a transistor amplify the input current in CE configuration

I have gone through tons of forum discussions and videos and books but they all explain in terms of mathematical equations that factor the input by a 'larger than 1' number. What happens physically ...
Blade's user avatar
  • 3
0 votes
2 answers
120 views

Transistor: Getting “incorrect” graph for input voltage to output voltage

I tried drawing the graph of \$v_o\$ vs \$v_i\$ for a bipolar junction transistor. I used the below setup (common emitter:) By design of how the base is a small part compared to others, \$I_b <<...
RishiNandha Vanchi's user avatar