Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

Unipolar transistors, also called Field-effect transistors (FET), use only one of the two types of carrier (either electrons or holes, depending on the subtype of the FET). In FETs the main current appears in a narrow conducting channel with an insulating depletion zone at the side. The width of this insulating zone can be altered by varying the voltage applied to the gate terminal, enlarging or constricting the conducting channel and thereby controlling the main current.

Related Terms

Unipolar transistors