8-12 July 2013
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
<a href="http://events.saip.org.za/internalPage.py?pageId=13&confId=32"><font color=#ff0000>SAIP2013 PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE</font></a>

A Novel Mode of Current Switching Dependent on Activated Charge Transport

9 Jul 2013, 16:20
20m
Oral Presentation Track F - Applied Physics Applied

Speaker

Mr Stanley Walton (University of Cape Town)

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD)?

PhD

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)

We demonstrate a fully printed transistor with a planar triode geometry, using nanoparticulate silicon as the semiconductor material, which has a unique mode of operation as an electrically controlled two-way (double throw) switch. A signal applied to the base changes the direction of the current from between the collector and base to between the base and emitter. We further show that the switching characteristic results from the activated charge transport in the semiconductor material, and that it is independent of the dominant carrier type in the semiconductor and the nature of the junction between the semiconductor and the three contacts. The same equivalent circuit, and hence similar device characteristics, can be produced using any other material combination with non-linear current-voltage characteristics, such as a suitable combination of semiconducting and conducting materials, such that a Schottky junction is present at all three contacts.

We present performance results for two design variants of the printed transistor and confirm our interpretation of the device’s operation by constructing a model circuit using individual varistors.

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

Yes

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

Yes

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

Prof. Margit Harting, margit.harting@uct.ac.za

Primary author

Mr Stanley Walton (University of Cape Town)

Co-authors

Mr Batsirai Magunje (University of Cape Town) Prof. David Britton (University of Cape Town) Mr Emmanuel Jonah (University of Cape Town) Prof. Margit Harting (University of Cape Town) Mr Serges Zambou (University of Cape Town)

Presentation Materials