In Chapter 2, we studied how the PN junction was used to create the first semiconductor device, the simple diode. In this chapter, we will look at some of the other initial semiconductor devices, such as the SCR, the DIAC, and the Triac.
The SCR or Thyristor
SCR stands for silicon-controlled rectifier. It is also known as a thyristor. Really, it is a diode, hence the reference to the rectifier, but it has an extra terminal called the gate terminal. The symbol for the SCR is shown in Figure ...
