THE ELECTROLYTIC ANALOGUE TRANSISTOR
Abstract
The cell is an open framework constructed of Lucite. All joints which come into contact with the solution as well as all submerged metallic parts, except for the tip of the electrical lead to the base electrode and the emitter and collector faces, are coated with a suitable cement. The leads are insulated from the solution by being inserted through the cell framework. A piston- cylinder arrangement affords a high stability of the movable electrode with respect to the fixed one. Standard circuitry was utilized in the experimental arrangement. Investigation of the rectification characteristic was carried out by using the cell as a 2-electrode device. The expected voltage-current curve was obtained. The rectification curves of the cerous and ferrous ion solutions were similar, although the decomposition voltage of the ferrous ion was 0.7 v more negative than that of the former. Experiments showed that the chloride- chlorine reaction was involved. Ferrous-ferric and bromide-bromine couples were also investigated. A brief discussion is given concerning the mercury-mercurous bromide and the silver-silver bromide base electrodes. The two types of electrochemical reactions studied were the conversion of an ion to an uncharged molecule and the change in valence of an ionic couple. This model of the electrolytic transistor is limited in current gain to unity in grounded base operation. Power gain can be obtained at very low frequencies since the output impedance is higher than the input impedance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0015149
Entities
People
- H. Letaw Jr.
Organizations
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign