Describes electronic circuits and components that rely on the controlled flow of electrons through solid crystalline materials like silicon or gallium arsenide. It distinguishes newer electronics from older electromechanical relays and vacuum tubes. Because they lack moving parts and fragile glass envelopes, these devices offer superior reliability, speed, and miniaturization.
We replaced the old mechanical hard drives with solid-state drives to eliminate vibration failures.
When troubleshooting older gear, solid-state replacements for tubes or relays often require circuit modifications to handle different bias voltages or leakage currents.
Related terms
Vacuum tube
An evacuated glass or metal envelope containing electrodes used to control electron flow.
SSD
A solid-state drive is a storage device that uses flash memory instead of spinning magnetic platters.
Discrete component
A basic electronic part that houses a single active or passive circuit element.