• Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Home & Garden
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Video
  • Shows
  • Blogs
  • Quizzes
  • Games
  • Random Article
  • Computer
  • Electronics
  • Home > 
  • Tech > 
  • Electronics > 
  • Solid State Electronics

by Marshall Brain

Print
Cite This!
Close 
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Brain, Marshall.  "How Semiconductors Work"  25 April 2001.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm>  09 February 2012.
Cite
Feedback

Gadgets Deconstructed

Watch now
Watch now
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Semiconductors Work
  2. Doping Silicon
  3. Diodes and Transistors
  1. Lots More Information
  2. See all Solid State Electronics articles

Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

  • How Boolean Logic Works
  • How Electronic Gates Work
  • How LEDs Work
  • How Microprocessors Work
  • How Electricity Works
  • How Atoms Work
  • How Batteries Work
  • Inside a Power-Cube Transformer
  • What are amps, watts, volts and ohms?

More Great Links

  • The p-n Junction Diode
  • An Introduction to Microelectronics
  • MIT: The Semiconductor Subway
  • Introduction to Semiconductor Technology
  • New Semiconductor Materials
VIDEO: Check out revealing videos of electronics deconstructed and 6 fundamental VOIP videos. >>
Previous Page

Popular Tech Topics

The Ultimate Computer History Quiz
The Ultimate Computer History Quiz
Top 5 Myths About the Internet
Top 5 Myths About the Internet
How to Connect Your Computer to Your TV
How to Connect Your Computer to Your TV
How Capacitors Work
How Capacitors Work
How Cloud Computing Works
How Cloud Computing Works
Take a look at Computer Videos

You Might Also Like

How Speakers Work

In any sound system, ultimate quality depends on the speakers. The best recording, encoded on the most advanced storage device and played by a top-of-the-line deck and amplifier, will sound awful if the system is hooked up to poor speakers.

10 Myths About Video Games

Video games have been the stuff of legend ever since they took the world by storm in the early 1980s. In fact, the video game world is so insular that you'd have to be a dedicated gamer to even hear certain myths about them.

Popular Articles

  • How Headphone Earmuffs Work
  • You Decide: HowStuffWorks App -- Android or iPhone?
  • How Pinball Machines Work
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Semiconductors Work
  2. Doping Silicon
  3. Diodes and Transistors
  1. Lots More Information
  2. See all Solid State Electronics articles
Previous Page

Popular Tech Videos

FPO
  • Cell Phone Tricks
  • Electronics Deconstructed
  • Ultimate Computer Hardware
  • How It's Made
  • Its All Geek To Me
  • See more»

New HSW Games

FPO
  • Storm Tracker
  • Memory Matrix
  • Crab Fishing Game
  • Volcano Explorer
  • Cannon Challenge
  • Speed Match
  • Lost in Migration
  • Word Bubbles
  • Color Match

Related Content

Prices: Semiconductors

  • 5mw Laser Diode 650nm 5 Pack Great For Science Projects
    5mw Laser Diode 650nm 5 Pack Great For Science Projects

    This is a five pack of new LECC 5mw laser raw diodes suitable for project use or in any other application where it may be needed.5C.Please see attached specification sheets for details. A ixiZ LLC is licensed laser manufacturing and service company for Class IIIA, IIIB and IV products under Texas license #Z02105. We are a certified US Government supplier CAGE code 4MF77 NAICS codes 34413 - SEMICONDUCTOR AND RELATED DEVICE MANUFACTURING SIC Code 3674 - SEMICONDUCTORS AND RELATED DEVICES PSC code

    $10.00

  • Fairchild Semiconductor 3.3V SOT-23 Surface Mount Zener Diode 350mW 5% (Continuous strip of 25)
    Fairchild Semiconductor 3.3V SOT-23 Surface Mount Zener Diode 350mW 5% (Continuous strip of 25)

    Fairchild Semiconductor 3.3V SOT-23 Surface Mount Zener Diode 350mW 5% RoHS (Continuous strip of 25)

    $3.63

  • 650nm 1500mw 1.5 Watt  Laser
    650nm 1500mw 1.5 Watt Laser

    650nm 1.5W diode laser with OEM power supply. One year warranty.Unit are in stock, ready for delivery. AixiZ LLC is licensed laser manufacturing and service company for Class IIIA, IIIB and IV products under Texas license #Z02105. We are a certified US Government supplier CAGE code 4MF77 NAICS codes 34413 - SEMICONDUCTOR AND RELATED DEVICE MANUFACTURING SIC Code 3674 - SEMICONDUCTORS AND RELATED DEVICES PSC code 5961 - SEMI CONDUCTOR DEVICES Federal Supply Classification 5961 - SEMICONDUCTOR DE

    $1750.00

HOWSTUFFWORKS
  • Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
MORE STUFF
  • Blogs
  • Games
  • HSW Tools
  • RSS
  • Maps
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Newsletters
  • Video
OUR WEBSITES
  • Animal Planet
  • Consumer Guide Auto
  • Consumer Guide Products
  • Discovery Channel
  • Discovery Fit & Health
  • HSW Brazil
  • HSW China HowStuffWorks China
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Planet Green
  • Science Channel
  • TLC
  • Discovery Education
  • Store
CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Help
CORPORATE
  • About Us
  • Careers @ Discovery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visitor Agreement
TAKE US WITH YOU
FOLLOW US
© 1998-2012 HowStuffWorks, Inc