What Do Solid State Devices Actually Do?

In What Do Solid State Devices Actually Do?, you'll learn ...

• A simplified view of solid state device function and applications
• Solid state diodes used as rectifiers
• Diode material selection considerations
• The various types of three terminal devices and what they are used for
• A simplistic look at an operational amplifier

Overview

Credit: 2 PDH

Length: 43 pages

This course was written to give any engineer an idea of what some common Solid State devices actually do. We do not do solid state physics because it is not necessary to know how things work, just what do they do. We start with conductors (wires) and look at two terminal devices such as diodes and Zener diodes. We then examine some three terminal devices such as various types of transistors, silicon controlled rectifiers, and triacs. We also look at a common integrated circuit, an Operational Amplifier.

The focus of this course is to see how to look at some common devices in a simple manner. We, by no means, cover all Solid State devices and what they do. Modern technology has improved state of the art so much in recent decades. And this is ongoing. With this course, an understanding can be developed to help us all understand older devices and more recent developments.

It would be almost impossible to cover all of the Solid State devices now being made or have ever been made in the past. This course is just a good start and will help anyone who uses or applies Solid State devices. The intention is to make it easy to see what Solid State devices do without getting into how they operate.