AdvancedA-002-005-011

Which of the following is a PNPN device?

C
Answer
Circuit design and power supplies
Type
A
Hot carrier (Schottky) diode
B
PIN diode
C
Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)
D
Zener diode

Answer Notes

A Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is constructed from four alternating layers of semiconductor material, forming a PNPN structure. This unique four-layer arrangement creates three internal PN junctions that give the SCR its characteristic latching ability. When a signal is applied to the gate, it triggers the inner junctions to conduct, allowing current to flow through the entire PNPN stack. The other options do not have a four-layer PNPN structure. For instance, a PIN diode has a P-type layer, an Intrinsic layer, and an N-type layer (PIN), while standard Zener or Schottky diodes rely on simple two-layer junctions or metal-semiconductor junctions.
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When it is gated "on", the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) exhibits electrical characteristics similar to a:
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