junction

views updated May 29 2018

junc·tion / ˈjəngkshən/ • n. 1. a point where two or more things are joined: the junction of the two rivers. ∎  a place where two or more roads or railroad lines meet. 2. Electr. a region of transition in a semiconductor between a part where conduction is mainly by electrons and a part where it is mainly by holes. 3. the action or fact of joining or being joined.DERIVATIVES: junc·tion·al / -shənl/ adj.

junction

views updated May 23 2018

junction The area of contact between two semiconductor materials having different electric properties, or between a semiconductor and a metal. Junctions play a fundamental role in semiconductor devices. The most frequently used is the p-n junction, which is formed between n-type and p-type semiconductors. A p-n junction has rectifying properties as a result of the potential barrier built up across the junction by the diffusion of electrons from the n-type to the p-type material.

junction

views updated May 23 2018

junction XVIII. — L. junctiō, -ōn-, f. junct-, pp. stem of jungere JOIN; see YOKE, -TION.
So juncture place of joining XIV; convergence of events XVII. — L. junctūra joint.

junction

views updated May 21 2018

junction (junk-shŏn) n. (in anatomy) the point at which two different tissues or structures are in contact. See also neuromuscular junction.