Final answer:
Solid-state diodes are manufactured from semiconductors, which are materials that can selectively conduct electricity to allow current to flow in one direction. They are used in a range of applications, including radiation detectors and integrated circuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Solid-state diodes are manufactured from semiconductors, such as silicon or gallium arsenide. Semiconductors have properties that allow them to conduct electricity under certain conditions, which makes them ideal for creating diodes. Diodes are devices that allow current to flow in only one direction, utilizing the p-n junction formed by joining a p-type semiconductor to an n-type semiconductor. The functionality of a diode is critical in various applications, including radiation detectors and in the formation of integrated circuits (IC) chips, which are the basis of numerous modern electronic devices.