[[I’m not entirely happy with this section, so please feel free to suggest improvements….Dan]]
While transistor theory is outside the scope of this study guide, I will attempt to at least give you a basic understanding of how transistors are put together and how they work. Most transistors we use in amateur radio are made of silicon. Silicon is a semiconductor. That is to say, it’s neither a conductor with a very low resistance, like copper, or an insulator with a very high resistance, like plastic or glass.
You can manipulate the electrical characteristics of silicon by adding slight amounts of impurities to a pure silicon crystal. When transistor manufacturers add an impurity that adds free electrons to the silicon crystal, it creates a crystal with a negative charge. We call that type of silicon N-type silicon. N-typeis a semiconductor material that contains excess free electrons. (E6A02) Free electrons are the majority charge carriers in N-type semi-conductor material.
When you add other types of impurities to a pure silicon crystal, you can create a crystal with a positive charge. We call this type of material P-type semiconductor material. In N-type semiconductor material, the majority charge carriers are the free electrons. (E6A16) The majority charge carriers in P-type semiconductor material are called holes. (E6A03) P-type is the type of semiconductor material that contains an excess of holes in the outer shell of electrons. (E6A15)
You can think of holes as spots in the crystal that accepts free electrons. Because of that, the name given to an impurity atom that adds holes to a semiconductor crystal structure is call an acceptor impurity. (E6A04)
Silicon isn’t the only semiconductor material used to make transistors. At microwave frequencies, gallium arsenide used as a semiconductor material in preference to germanium or silicon. (E6A01)
Resources
Keith Wood says
Do you have a Extra study guide like the general one if so how can I get a copy of it.
Dan KB6NU says
The question pool for the Extra exam has been updated and will go into effect on July 1, 2012. I’m currently writing a study that will cover the new question pool. I’m hoping to have it done by May so that I can publicize it at Dayton, which takes place the third weekend of May.
Robbie says
Dan-
Looking forward to your no-nonsense extra study guide. I’m using your tech and general study guides right now and planning on taking both tests on 3/10. I’m already getting 90%+ thru online practice tests. Your guides are awesome.
Mike K9FE says
My wife just passed her General exam on March 20, 2012. She spent quite a bit of time with your No Nonsense guide getting ready for it. After passing her test (34/35) she asked about the Extra guide. I will tell her that she must wait until May for it to be published.
Thanks for creating a neat way to study!
73 de K9FE Mike