Review of Other Semiconductor Devices

Semiconductor devices other than transistors and rectifying cells are useful and some are becoming important in solidstate electronic-systems technology. It is shown how one possible system of classification for all semiconductor devices can be set up. The system starts by listing a complete set of semiconductor properties and a complete set of external influences which can modify the semiconductor attributes. Devices are then classified in order of complication with respect to semiconductor attributes with external influences being applied singly, in pairs, and so on. It is not claimed that this system is a tool for invention of new devices, but it could serve to organize creative thought. An attempt is made to list criteria for important devices, and a selection is made of those devices which we predict will be important in the future. The selection is Hall effect devices, thermistor devices, photodevices, and thermoelectric devices. Each of these classes of devices is discussed briefly with respect to important properties, and some applications which have been described in the literature.