| 释义 |
semiconˈductor Physics.
[semi- 8 a.]
1. a. A material whose capacity to conduct electricity is intermediate between that of a good conductor and an insulator. Obs. exc. as in 1 b.
1838Ann. Electr., Magn., & Chem. III. 316 Lichtenberg..observes..‘it is deserving of a trial also whether phosphorus would not become ignited at points whence a stream [of electricity] is issuing, on a semi-conductor being inserted between them’. 1863E. Atkinson tr. Ganot's Elem. Treat. Physics ix. iv. 592 The retardation which electricity experiences in traversing a semi⁓conductor, such as a wet string. 1879G. B. Prescott Sp. Telephone iv, Carbon and certain other semi-conductors. 1900Engineering 28 Sept. 412/3 Semi-conductors like iron filings.
b. spec. Such a material in which there is a narrow gap between permitted energy bands, so that the only current carriers are electrons thermally excited from the valence band into the conduction band (intrinsic semiconductor: see intrinsic a. 3 e) or into intermediate energy levels provided by impurity ions (extrinsic semiconductor).
1931Proc. R. Soc. A. CXXXIII. 459 It is not possible to maintain that the difference between good and bad conductors is one of degree only... There is an essential difference between a semi-conductor, such as germanium, and a good conductor, such as silver, which must be accounted for by any theory which attempts to deal with semi-conductors. 1946Electronic Engin. XVIII. 66/2 It is well known that ‘semi-conductors’, such as carbon, silicon.., etc., possess negative temperature coefficients of resistance at ordinary temperatures. 1961G. R. Choppin Exper. Nuclear Chem. iii. 41 The semiconductor detectors..are made from thin (approximately 1mm) wafers of semiconductor silicon. 1970J. Shepherd et al. Higher Electrical Engin. (ed. 2) xx. 623 In an extrinsic or doped semiconductor, impurities are added to the intrinsic material to give a predominance of either electrons (in n-type material) or holes (in p-type material) as charge carriers. 1979Jrnl. R. Soc. Arts Oct. 692/2 Sometimes a significant advance in technology may itself create a new market, as did the advent of the semiconductors to the small ‘transistor radio’ market.
2. Special Combs.: semiconductor diode, a diode whose rectifying action depends on the properties of a junction between a semiconductor and either a metal or another type of semiconductor; cf. junction diode (s.v. junction n. 4); semiconductor junction = junction n. 2 b; semiconductor rectifier, a semiconductor diode, usu. one intended for large currents; semiconductor triode, a junction transistor having two junctions.
1954Trans. IRE Prof. Group Broadcast & Television Receivers July 34 (heading) Semiconductor diodes for TV receivers. 1975Fink & McKenzie Electronics Engineers' Handbk. vii. 34 One of the highest-volume uses of the semiconductor diode is in computers. Ibid. 35 When a semiconductor junction is exposed to light, photons generate hole-electron pairs.
1946Physical Rev. LXIX. 42/2 This effective contact e.m.f. is one important parameter in the theory and practice of semi-conductor rectifiers. 1962Times 14 May 14/7 Semiconductor rectifiers on heavy-duty electric railway locomotives.
1948Physical Rev. LXXIV. 230/1 (heading) A semi-conductor triode. 1970D. F. Shaw Introd. Electronics (ed. 2) xii. 262 The transistor is a semiconductor triode possessing characteristics which are similar in many respects to those of thermionic triodes. |