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Varactor Diode

A varactor diode is a semiconductor device that exhibits a variable capacitance effect which is controlled by the voltage applied across it. When reverse biased, the depletion region of the PN junction acts as a capacitor, and by varying the reverse voltage, the size of the depletion region and thus the capacitance can be changed. Varactor diodes are used in applications requiring variable capacitance such as frequency modulation circuits, automatic frequency controllers, band pass filters, and more.

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Smruti Sawant
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489 views5 pages

Varactor Diode

A varactor diode is a semiconductor device that exhibits a variable capacitance effect which is controlled by the voltage applied across it. When reverse biased, the depletion region of the PN junction acts as a capacitor, and by varying the reverse voltage, the size of the depletion region and thus the capacitance can be changed. Varactor diodes are used in applications requiring variable capacitance such as frequency modulation circuits, automatic frequency controllers, band pass filters, and more.

Uploaded by

Smruti Sawant
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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VARACTOR DIODE

Introduction:
Varactor diode is a one kind of semiconductor microwave solid-state device and the
applications of this diode mainly involve in where variable capacitance is preferred which
can be accomplished by controlling voltage. These diodes are also named as varicap
diodes. Even though the outcome of the variable capacitance can be showed by the
normal P-N junction diodes, but these diodes are chosen for giving the desired
capacitance changes as they are special types of diodes. Varactor diodes are specifically
fabricated and optimized such that they permits a high range of changes in capacitance.
Symbol:
Working of a Varactor Diode:
To know the Varactor diode working principle, we must know the function of capacitor and capacitance. Let us
consider the capacitor that comprises of two plates alienated by an insulator as shown in the figure.

We know that, the capacitance of a capacitor is directly proportional to the region of the terminals, as the region of
the terminals increases the capacitance of the capacitor increases. When the diode is in the reverse biased mode,
where the two regions of P-type and N-type are able to conduct and thus can be treated as two terminals. The
depletion area between the P-type & N-type regions can be considered as insulating dielectric. Therefore, it is similar
to the capacitor shown above.

The volume of the depletion region of the diode varies with change in reverse bias. If the reverse voltage of the diode
is increased, then the size of the depletion region increases. Likewise, if the reverse voltage of the Varactor diode is
decreased, then the size of the depletion region decreases. Hence, by changing the reverse bias of the diode the
capacitance can be changed.
Characteristics of Varactor Diode
The characteristics of Varactor diode have the following:
● These diodes significantly generate less noise compared to other
diodes.
● The cost of these diodes is available at lower and more reliable also.
● These diodes are very small in size and very light weight.
● There is no useful when it is operated in forward bias.
● In reverse bias mode, Varactor diode enhances the capacitance as
shown in the graph below.
Applications:
Owing to the special property of varying capacitance with varying
voltage, varactor diodes are mostly used in frequency modulation or
tuning circuits where the value of capacitance determines the output
modulation frequency. Some of the other applications include:

Automatic Frequency Controllers (AFCs)


Ultra High Frequency Television sets
High frequency Radios
Frequency Multipliers
Band Pass Filters
Harmonic Generators

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