Diodes

Semiconductor Diode
The semiconductor diode is formed by
bringing p and n-type materials together
(constructed from the same base Ge or Si)

Diode Symbol
2

Diode equation
ID

I s (eVD

nVT

1)

where I s is the reverse saturation current

VD is the applied forward-bias voltage across the diode
n is an ideality factor which is a function of operating conditions
and physical construction; it has a range between 1 &2.
(n=1 will be assumed unless otherwise noted)
kT
VT =
q
k is Boltzman constant=1.38 10-23 J/K
T is the absolute temperature in Kelvins
q is the electronic charge=1.6 10-19 C
For VD > 0, I D I s e

VD nVT

VT 0.26 V at room temperature

and for VD < 0, I D =

Is

V-I characteristic of Diode

Temperature Effect
Reverse saturation current Is
approximately doubles for every
10oC rise in temperature.
If Is = Is1 at T = T1, then at
temperature T2, Is2 is given by,
Is2 = Is1x 2(T2 T1)/10

PIV (Peak Inverse Voltage Rating)

The maximum reverse-bias potential

that can be applied to the diode
without damaging it or causing it to
break down.

Diode Equivalent Circuit

Ideal Diode:

Piecewise Linear Model

Diode Equivalent Circuit

Simple Diode Model Typically Used:
ID
VK=0.7 V for Si
VK=0.3 V for Ge
VK

VD

VS<VK
VS>VK

I=0
I=(VS-VK)/R

and
and

VA=0
VA= VS-VK

Zener Diode
Zener diodes are special diodes manufactured
with adequate power dissipation capabilities to
operate in the breakdown region.
Symbol:

Equivalent ckt.

Approx. Eq. ckt.

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V-I Characteristics of Zener Diode

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Zener Regulator

Vs>Vz for breakdown

Rs is the current limiting
resistance to limit the zener
current to less than its
maximum rating
Is=(Vs Vz)/Rs

Loaded Zener regulator

Vth = voltage across Vz

= Vs x RL/(Rs+RL)
For breakdown, Vth>Vz
IL = VL/RL = VZ/RL
Iz = Is IL
Power dissipated by zener diode
= VzIz

Is=(Vs Vz)/Rs, Is = Iz + IL

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Zener Regulator

Loaded Zener regulator

Typically, for a Zener

Diode, one would specify
the zener voltage VZ and
the maximum power
dissipation PZ,max in the
zener diode.
Additionally, we may also
specify the minimum zener
current IZ,min that must flow
through the zener diode to
provide the zener action

Is=(Vs Vz)/Rs, Is = Iz + IL

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