Crystal rectifiers-A device made out of a purified crystal that can filter out unwanted frequencies allowing the sampling of a narrow bandwidth and ridding a system of interference.
Czochralski method - This method uses in producing pure silicone crystals by rotating rod that possesses a thermal gradient and has a seed crystal attached to its end. The rod is lowered into a molten pool of the material to be crystallized, in this case molten silicon, and is then slowly withdrawn while being rotated. The system proved to be highly effective, once numerous difficulties were overcome, including the selection of suitable materials for crucibles.
Diodes-The simplest of semi-conducting components made up of a layer of N-type and P-type silicone the junction of which will only allow the transfer of electrons in one direction. Great site for explanation
Integrated circuit- Lots to explain, this is a great source.
N-type Silicone- Crystal silicone doped with atoms to give it a net "N"egative charge. http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode2.htm
P-type Silicone- Crystal silicone doped with atoms to give it a net "P"ositive charge. http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode2.htm
semiconductors-A
material that is neither a good conductor of electricity (like copper) nor a
good insulator (like rubber). The most common semiconductor materials are
silicon and germanium. These materials are then doped (impurities added) to
create an excess or lack of electrons in the crystal structure.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode.htm
Transistor- This is basically the building block to all computers. It is basically a sandwich of P-type and N-type silicone that works as a switch allowing or disallowing the flow of electrons through the silicone types based on a charge applied to the inner semiconductor type. http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/diode4.htm building a modern transistor animation (http://www.micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/transistor/index.html)
Vacuum tubes- Powered rectifying unit that uses the use electrons moving from a filament to a grid to rectify an incoming signal.
