P-n junctions are formed by joining n-type and p-type semiconductor materials, as shown below. Since the n-type region has a high electron concentration and the p-type a high hole concentration, electrons diffuse from the n-type side to the p-type side. … On the p-type side, negative ion cores are exposed.
What is pn junction diode 12?
When a p-type semiconductor is suitably joined to an n- type semiconductor, their contact surface is called a p-n junction. The electronic device consisting of a p-n junction is called a p-n junction diode. It has two terminals. One is connected to the p-type crystal and the other is connected to the n-type crystal.
What is Zener diode and its applications?
A Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor device that permits current to flow in either a forward or reverse direction. … Additionally, the voltage drop across the diode remains constant over a wide range of voltages, a feature that makes Zener diodes suitable for use in voltage regulation.
Why PN junction is called a diode?
A diode is called a diode because it has two distinct electrodes (i.e. terminals), called the anode and the cathode. A diode is electrically asymmetric because current can flow freely from the anode to the cathode, but not in the other direction.
What is the diode symbol?
Diode, an electrical component that allows the flow of current in only one direction. In circuit diagrams, a diode is represented by a triangle with a line across one vertex.
Can a diode be used as a voltage source?
But the answer was: A diode cannot be used as a voltage source. The potential opposes current and produces an equilibrium condition, not a source of energy.
How is a diode formed?
A diode is formed by joining two equivalently doped P-Type and N-Type semiconductor. … At the point of contact of the P-Type and N-Type regions, the holes in the P-Type attract electrons in the N-Type material. Hence the electron diffuses and occupies the holes in the P-Type material.
What is Zener diode explain its basic principle?
A Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor device that permits current to flow in either a forward or reverse direction. The diode consists of a special, heavily doped p-n junction, designed to conduct in the reverse direction when a certain specified voltage is reached.
What is the ideal diode?
An ideal diode is a diode that acts like a perfect conductor when voltage is applied forward biased and like a perfect insulator when voltage is applied reverse biased. So when positive voltage is applied across the anode to the cathode, the diode conducts forward current instantly.
Is Zener diode is used as?
A Zener diode is used as a voltage regulator in reverse biased mode. The breakdown voltage in the Zener diode when connected in the reverse-biased is called Zener voltage.
What is the purpose of Schottky diode?
Schottky diodes are used for their low turn-on voltage, fast recovery time and low-loss energy at higher frequencies. These characteristics make Schottky diodes capable of rectifying a current by facilitating a quick transition from conducting to blocking state.
What are applications of diode?
The application areas of diodes include communication systems as limiters, clippers, gates; computer systems as logic gates, clampers; power supply systems as rectifiers and inverters; television systems as phase detectors, limiters, clampers; radar circuits as gain control circuits, parameter amplifiers, etc.
What are the advantages of PN junction diode?
Advantages of p-n junction diode
P-n junction diode is the simplest form of all the semiconductor devices. However, diodes plays a major role in many electronic devices. A p-n junction diode can be used to convert the alternating current (AC) to the direct current (DC). These diodes are used in power supply devices.
How much current can a diode handle?
The maximum that the diode can conduct at once is 30 amperes.
How much voltage does a diode drop?
In a small silicon diode operating at its rated currents, the voltage drop is about 0.6 to 0.7 volts. The value is different for other diode types—Schottky diodes can be rated as low as 0.2 V, germanium diodes 0.25 to 0.3 V, and red or blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can have values of 1.4 V and 4.0 V respectively.
Is a battery a diode?
A battery is an energy source. A diode is not. The voltage rating of a diode does not mean a diode is a voltage source.
Is a diode a rectifier?
A rectifier is a special type of diode that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). This is an important process, as alternating current is able to reverse direction periodically, while direct current consistently flows in a single direction, making it simple to control.
What is diode and its types?
There are several types of diodes and those are available for use in electronics design, namely; a Backward diode, BARRITT diode, Gunn Diode, Laser diode, Light emitting diodes, Gold doped diodes, crystal diode, PN Junction, Shockley diode, Step recovery diode, Tunnel diode, Varactor diode, and a Zener diode.
What happens if a diode is reversed?
Reverse bias usually refers to how a diode is used in a circuit. If a diode is reverse biased, the voltage at the cathode is higher than that at the anode. Therefore, no current will flow until the electric field is so high that the diode breaks down.
Do diodes absorb power?
Real Diode Characteristics. Ideally, diodes will block any and all current flowing the reverse direction, or just act like a short-circuit if current flow is forward. … Diodes do consume some amount of power when conducting forward current, and they won’t block out all reverse current.
How zener diode is different from other diode?
A diode is a semiconductor device which conducts in one direction only. A Zener diode is a semiconductor device which conducts in forward biased as well as reversed biased. A normal diode if operated in reversed biased will get destroyed.
Which is symbol of PN junction diode?
Diode circuit symbol and polarity
Like any diode, the PN junction diode has two connections or electrodes. This gives it its name: “di-” meaning two and “-ode” as a shortening of electrode. One electrode of the semiconductor device is termed the anode and the other is termed the cathode.