Public learning track
Semiconductor Physics and P-N Junctions
11th Grade · Technology · UK A-Level
8 lessons
Goal
Explain the microscopic conduction mechanisms in intrinsic, n-type, and p-type semiconductors and analyse the operation of p-n junction diodes, LEDs, and photodiodes.
Featured Diagrams
Energy Bands and Intrinsic Semiconductors
8 lessons
0 of 8 done
- 1Energy Bands and Intrinsic SemiconductorsUp nextStart
- 2Doping and Charge Carriers in N-Type and P-Type SiliconPremiumNot started yet
- 3Drift and Diffusion Currents in SemiconductorsNot started yet
- 4The Unbiased P-N Junction and Depletion LayerNot started yet
- 5Forward and Reverse Biasing of a P-N JunctionNot started yet
- 6Light Emitting Diode Physics and Bandgap EnergyNot started yet
- 7Photodiode Operation and Reverse-Bias PhotocurrentNot started yet
- 8Photovoltaic versus Photoconductive Modes in PhotodiodesNot started yet
Standards Covered
- ELEC-18.1General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (UK A-Level) · Electronics · Year 13 (A2 Level) · Grade 11the conduction processes in n- and p-type semiconductors in terms of mobile electrons and holes
- ELEC-18.2General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (UK A-Level) · Electronics · Year 13 (A2 Level) · Grade 11conduction processes at a p-n junction and the operation of a LED and a photodiode
Curriculum Framework
11th Grade · Technology · UK A-Level
1
8 lessons
Semiconductor Physics and P-N Junctions
Explain the microscopic conduction mechanisms in intrinsic, n-type, and p-type semiconductors and analyse the operation of p-n junction diodes, LEDs, and photodiodes.
2
7 lessons
Field-Effect Transistors and MOSFET Operation
Analyse the structural physics, channel formation, pinch-off behaviour, and switching and amplification characteristics of enhancement and depletion n-channel MOSFETs.
3
9 lessons
Audio System Architecture and Multi-Stage Preamplifiers
Design and evaluate end-to-end audio systems and multi-stage voltage preamplifiers that satisfy specified voltage gain and bandwidth constraints.
4
9 lessons
Audio Mixers and Active Filter Circuits
Design virtual-earth audio mixer circuits and first-order active filters for bass and treble boost and cut tone control.
5
10 lessons
Power Amplifiers, Efficiency, and Output Stages
Analyse emitter followers, source followers, complementary push-pull output stages, crossover distortion reduction, and power gain in decibels.
6
8 lessons
Audio Digitisation, Sampling, and Dynamic Range
Examine analogue-to-digital conversion of audio signals, evaluating sampling rates, bit resolution, Nyquist criteria, and quantisation distortion.
7
8 lessons
Mains Rectification and Smoothing Networks
Design and analyse half-wave, full-wave centre-tapped, and bridge rectifier circuits with capacitive smoothing filters under varying load conditions.
8
9 lessons
Voltage Regulators and Power Supply Design
Design and analyse discrete and op-amp-based voltage regulator circuits, evaluating load regulation, line regulation, and thermal stability.
9
8 lessons
DC Thyristor Switching and Commutation
Design high-power DC thyristor (SCR) switching circuits and explain latching, holding current, and forced capacitor commutation methods.
10
9 lessons
AC Phase Control with Triacs and Diacs
Analyse and design AC phase control circuits using RC phase-shift networks, diacs, and triacs for smooth, bidirectional power control.
11
8 lessons
Radio Frequency Spectrum and RF Transmission Channels
Evaluate the radio frequency spectrum for data transmission, determining bandwidth allocations, propagation modes, and channel capacities.
12
10 lessons
Amplitude and Frequency Modulation Systems
Analyse and compare amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) transmitters, receivers, spectral bandwidths, and noise immunity.
13
8 lessons
Optical Fibre Transmission, Attenuation, and Dispersion
Analyse signal propagation in optical fibres using refraction physics and quantify attenuation, modal dispersion, and chromatic dispersion mechanisms.
14
8 lessons
Optoelectronic Transmitters and Receiver Circuits
Design electronic driver circuits for optical emitters and transimpedance receiver preamplifiers for optical photodiodes.