STEP - Transistors

Module Objectives

  1. Introduce students to science and engineering career opportunities.
  2. Develop deeper understandings of science concepts through analysis of applications.
  3. Develop vocabulary needed to converse in the semiconductor and nanotechnology industries.
  4. Develop skills needed to explore high-tech concepts independently.

Major Understandings

  1. A MOS transistor can be thought of as two back-to-back P-N junction diodes.
  2. A transistor can be thought of as a current switch, controlled by a gate.
  3. Transistors can be combined in various ways to perform various digital logic functions.
  4. Integrated circuits are fabricated using a re-entrant manufacturing process, layer-by-layer.
  5. Major manufacturing processes include doping, patterning, diffusion, deposition, and etching.

Module Outline

Activity Understandings Addressed Bloom's Taxonomy Format Resources Time (per)
MW: How Transistors Work 1,2,4,5 1,2 Independent Reading Read article 0.5
Molecular Workbench Activity 1,2,4,5 1,2,3,4,5,6 Team Simulation MW: Transistors 1.5
Video: Silicon Run Lite 4,5 1,2,4 Video 30-minute video 1
Lecture / Discussion: Transistors to Logic 2,3 1,2,3,4,5,6 Lecture / Discussion White boards to attempt truth tables and logic derivations at seats 2

Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives in the Cognitive Domain

  1. Knowledge
  2. Comprehension
  3. Analysis
  4. Application
  5. Synthesis
  6. Evaluation

 

Module Content

Module content may be found under the Courses --> Honors --> Tutorials --> Microelectronics --> Transistors and Digital Logic sections of this site, or from the Microelectronics chapter of Honors Physics Essentials.