Scribd
Upload
27 views8 pages

Diodes

Uploaded by

Julian Ssonko
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
27 views8 pages

Diodes

Uploaded by

Julian Ssonko
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

Diodes

A diode is a two-terminal semiconductor device which


allows flow of current only in one direction and offers high
resistance in other direction.

It is made from a small piece of semiconductor material, such


as silicon, in which half is doped as a p region and half is
doped as an n region with a p-n junction and depletion
region in between.

The p region is called the anode (+), and n region is called the
cathode(-)

Current flows from the anode to the cathode if positive


voltage is applied between the two.
Forward Bias
NB: Bias is the application of a dc voltage to a diode to
make it either conduct or block current.

FORWARD BIAS is the condition that allows current


through the pn junction.
This external bias voltage is designated as VBIAS.
The resistor limits the forward current to a value that will
not damage the diode.

In the forward bias, the negative side of VBIAS is


connected to the n region of the diode and the positive
side is connected to the p region.

The bias voltage VBIAS, must be greater than the barrier


potential; bias must be greater than 0.3V for germanium
or 0.7V for silicon diodes.
Reverse Bias
Reverse bias is the condition that essentially prevents
current through the diode.

The figure shows a dc voltage source connected across a


diode in the direction to produce reverse bias. The
positive side of VBIAS is connected to the n region of the
diode and the negative side is connected to the p region.
Also, note that the depletion region is shown much wider
than in forward bias.

The positive side of the bias-voltage source pulls the free


electrons, (majority in n region), away from the pn
junction.
As electrons move away from junction, more positive ions
are created. This results in a widening of the depletion
region and a depletion of majority carriers.
Types of Diodes

Rectifier diodes are typically used for power Switching diodes have lower power ratings
supply applications. Within the power than rectifier diodes, but can function better
supply, you will see diodes as elements that in high frequency application and in clipping
convert AC power to DC power; and clamping operations that deal with
short-duration pulse waveforms;

Zener diodes, a special kind of diode that can Optical diodes;


recover from breakdown caused when the and
reverse-bias voltage exceeds the diode Special diodes, such as varactors
breakdown voltage. (diodes with variable capacity), tunnel diodes or
These diodes are commonly used as Schottky diodes.
voltage-level regulators and protectors against
high voltage surges;
V-I Characteristics for
Forward Bias
The current in forward biased called forward current and
is designated If. At 0V (Vbias) across the diode, there is no
forward current. Figure illustrates what happens as the
forward-bias voltage is increased positively from 0 V.
The resistor is used to limit the forward current to a value
that will not overheat the diode and cause damage.
With gradual increase of Vbias, the forward voltage and
forward current increase. A portion of forward-bias
voltage (Vf) drops across the limiting resistor. Continuing
increase of Vf causes rapid increase of forward current but
the voltage across the diode increases only gradually
above 0.7V. The resistance of the forward-biased diode is
not constant but it changes over the entire curve.
Therefore, it is called dynamic resistance.
V-I Characteristics for
Reverse Bias
With 0V reverse voltage there is no reverse
current. There is only a small current through the
junction as the reverse voltage increases. At a
point, reverse current shoots up with the
breakdown of diode. The voltage called
breakdown voltage. This is not normal mode of
operation. After this point the reverse voltage
remains at approximately VBR but IR increase very
rapidly. Break down voltage depends on doping
level, set by manufacturer.
The V-I characteristic curve for a diode combines
the curves for both forward bias and reverse bias,
as shown in Figure.
Applications of Diodes
Rectification: Diodes are widely used in rectifiers to
convert AC to DC power, such as in power supplies.
Clipping and Clamping: Used to limit voltage levels
to prevent circuit damage (clipping) or shift voltage
levels (clamping).
Voltage Regulation:
Zener diodes are used in voltage regulators to maintain a steady output
voltage in power supplies.
Signal Demodulation: Diodes are used to extract
4 modulated information from signals in radios and
TVs.
Protection: Diodes can protect sensitive electronic
5 circuits by blocking excessive voltage (as in transient voltage suppression diodes).

LED Lighting: LEDs are used as indicators and for illumination in many
6 consumer electronics and automotive applications.
Important Parameters to
Consider
Maximum Current Rating: Diodes have a maximum current limit beyond which they can be damaged.
Power Dissipation: Diodes dissipate power as heat, especially at high currents, so thermal management may
be required.
Temperature Sensitivity: Diode characteristics, like forward voltage drop, can change with temperature.
Diode Equation(Shockley Equation)
The current through a diode can be expressed by the Shockley diode equation:
I= ( - 1)
where:
is the reverse saturation current,
V is the voltage across the diode
n is the ideality factor (typically close to 1 for silicon diodes),
is the thermal voltage.

Ideal vs. Real Diode


Ideal Diode: In theory, an ideal diode would have zero forward voltage drop, infinite reverse resistance,
and instant switching.
Real Diode: In practice, all diodes have a small forward voltage drop, some leakage current when reverse
biased, and finite switching speed.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy