How Far Can We Take this?

[vdi_nenna]

We always seem to be waiting for the next best thing. Some technologies are a wide open road of possibilites, like computer technology, genetics, aerospace and women's swimwear. How far can analog amplification go?

There are only so many types of amplifier output classes. There are only a handful of voltage and current amplifiers. What about amplification devices? Can science improve on MosFets, Tubes, Bi-Polar? Is there something out there waiting to be discovered? Is there a ceiling to where no more improvements can be made?

Do you see an end of the line for analog amplification?

[Netlist]

Originally posted by vdi_nenna
What about amplification devices? Can science improve on MosFets, Tubes, Bi-Polar? Is there something out there waiting to be discovered?

Indeed, are there or will there be other devices that can amplify our voltages and currents. I wonder for a long time and also planned to ask a similar question to the scientists over here.

Time will tell..

/Hugo

[Hanzwillem]

Originally posted by Netlist

Indeed, are there or will there be other devices that can amplify our voltages and currents. I wonder for a long time and also planned to ask a similar question to the scientists over here.

Time will tell..

/Hugo

yes, ferromagnetic semiconductors, like the spin valve transistor.

but that'll take some time before we can use them, IF they are usefull in audio circuits...

[GRollins]

I remember reading an article, perhaps in Scientific American?, about a new device that works like a tube, but is solid state. I seem to recall microscopic cones that emit the electrons across a vacuum. No filament. I've forgotten how they managed the control element.
No doubt about it. Some clever young lad (or lass) will come up with something new. It's only a matter of time.

Grey

[paulb]

Here on Tralfamador, we have perfect amplification devices. But many audiophiles don't like the way they sound. Too clinical.

[planet10]

And who knows what will come, when we can start manufacturing devices in very low gravity, high vacuum plants (anyone else interested in moving to L5?)

dave

[vdi_nenna]

But what about topologies? Have they all been exhausted?

[GRollins]

New topologies will pop up at intervals. Quite possibly in response to new devices. Tubes are all "N" devices. The addition of P devices when transistors came along gave rise to other possibilities, although I think it was foolish to immediately dump all the tube topologies...here we are, fifty years later, reinventing the wheel. The tube guys had solutions to some of these things ages ago.
Although, Nelson's Aleph current source isn't immediately obvious, I'm surprised that no one did X or cascoded output stages earlier.

Grey

[Bricolo]

Originally posted by GRollins
New topologies will pop up at intervals. Quite possibly in response to new devices. Tubes are all "N" devices. The addition of P devices when transistors came along gave rise to other possibilities, although I think it was foolish to immediately dump all the tube topologies...here we are, fifty years later, reinventing the wheel. The tube guys had solutions to some of these things ages ago.
Although, Nelson's Aleph current source isn't immediately obvious, I'm surprised that no one did X or cascoded output stages earlier.

Grey

Is the cascode a Pass Labs patend?

[stefanobilliani]

No.

If memory serves me well Cascode is the name of the inventor of that topology.