channel

(1) A thin semiconductor layer, between the source region and the drain region, in which the current is controlled by the gate potential.

(2) A region of semiconductor material in which current flow is influenced by a transverse electrical field.

NOTE 1 A channel may physically be an inversion layer, a diffused layer, or bulk material.

NOTE 2 The type of channel, i.e., p‑channel or n-channel, is determined by the type of majority carrier during conduction.

References: 

JESD24, 7/85

JESD99B, 5/07