How to choose a MOSFET ?

Choosing the right MOSFET involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets the requirements of the circuit or application: Firstly, voltage ratings are critical. You need to select a MOSFET with a drain-source voltage rating (V_DS) that comfortably exceeds the maximum voltage expected in your circuit. This prevents breakdown and ensures reliability under normal … Read more

Why is photodiode operated in reverse bias ?

A photodiode is operated in reverse bias because this configuration maximizes its sensitivity to light. In reverse bias, the electric field across the depletion region is strong, allowing for efficient separation and collection of electron-hole pairs generated by incident light photons. This results in a photocurrent that is directly proportional to the light intensity, enabling … Read more

Can we use a transistor as a rectifier ?

Transistors can indeed be used as rectifiers in certain applications. While they are not typically used in simple rectification circuits like diodes due to their inherent characteristics, transistors can be configured in various ways to perform rectification tasks, especially in specialized or complex circuit designs. A transistor used as a rectifier can operate similarly to … Read more

Whats the difference between JFET and MOSFET ?

The main difference between a JFET (Junction Field-Effect Transistor) and a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) lies in their construction and operation principles. JFETs are typically constructed from a single piece of semiconductor material, forming a channel between two terminals (source and drain) with a third terminal (gate) controlling the width of this channel through an … Read more

What controls the gate in a transistor ?

In a transistor, particularly in field-effect transistors (FETs) like MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors), the gate terminal plays a crucial role in controlling the flow of current through the device. The gate terminal is insulated from the semiconductor channel by a thin layer of oxide. Applying a voltage to the gate terminal creates an electric field … Read more

Does a transistor amplify current or voltage ?

A transistor can amplify both current and voltage, depending on its configuration and how it is biased in a circuit. In common emitter configuration, for example, a transistor primarily amplifies current. The input signal controls the base-emitter current, which in turn controls the larger collector-emitter current, thus amplifying the current signal. This configuration is typical … Read more

Why are transistors called transistors ?

The term “transistor” is a combination of “transfer” and “resistor,” reflecting its function as a device that transfers electrical signals or current across a resistor-like component. It was coined to describe the revolutionary semiconductor device developed in the mid-20th century that replaced vacuum tubes in many applications due to its smaller size, lower power consumption, … Read more

What is Ohm’s law in simple words?

Ohm’s Law states that the current flowing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points, given a constant temperature. In simpler terms, it describes how current (I) behaves in relation to voltage (V) and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit. If you increase the voltage across a … Read more

Why transistor is so difficult to understand ?

Understanding transistors can be challenging for several reasons. Firstly, transistors operate based on principles of semiconductor physics, which involve complex behaviors such as carrier transport, junction formation, and the interaction of electric fields within the device. This can be daunting for those unfamiliar with semiconductor theory. Secondly, transistors come in different types (bipolar junction transistors, … Read more

What are MOSFETs ?

A MOSFET, or Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor, is a type of transistor that is widely used in electronics for switching and amplifying signals. It belongs to the family of field-effect transistors (FETs) and operates by controlling the conductivity of a semiconductor channel through an electric field generated by the gate terminal. MOSFETs are employed in various … Read more