ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

Introduction:
A diode is a di-electrode device that behaves as a one-directional switch. It allows current from
its anode to cathode terminal when it has forward bias. On the other hand, it has almost zero
current when it is in reverse bias. There are different types of semiconductor diodes, such as:
rectifier diode, Zener diode, light-emitting diode, Schottky diode, varactor diode, and other kinds.
In this activity, we are going to use the rectifier diode. Let us utilize the LTSPICE to run
simulations and determine the characteristics of rectifier diodes and their circuits.

Part 1: Semiconductor Diodes

Our objective is to be familiar with the different kinds of Semiconductor Diodes, before
proceeding with rectifier diodes.

1.1 Fill-up the Table 1. Write the application/s and attach a sample photo for each type of semiconductor
diode. Do not forget to indicate the source or website where we got the photos.

Table 1. Types of Semiconductor Diodes

Semiconductor Diode Application Sample Photo Source or website of photo
Rectifier Diode

Zener Diode

Light Emitting Diode

Varactor Diode

Schottky Diode
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SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

Part 2: Characteristics of Rectifier Diode

Our objective is to simulate the characteristics of a Rectifier Diode by using the LTSPICE tool.

Here is a link about ‘Getting Started with LTSPICE.’

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/getting-started-with-ltspice/all

2.1 Connect the circuit diagram, as shown in Figure 1, in LTSPICE tool. The student or group may use
another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1, another value of resistance for resistor R1, and another
voltage level for dc voltage source V1. Take the photo of your own circuit diagram drawn in LTSPICE
tool, and place it in Figure 2. (One way to capture the screen in LTSPICE is: View > Paste Bitmap.)

Fig. 1. Diode Circuit (sample). Fig. 2. Connection of Diode Circuit.

2.2 Include a SPICE directive in your schematic diagram. In Figure 1, the directive is .DC V1 -100 100 1.
This directive describes the dc simulation, wherein the voltage of V1 will start from -100 V to +100 V
with an increment of +1 V. For your simulation, set the dc simulation from +200 V to -200 V with 1 V
increment. Run your simulation and show the waveform of current along diode D1. Figure 3 shows
the example of the simulation waveform for the diode circuit in Figure 1. In Figure 3, the current of
diode D1, I(D1), is in y-axis and the voltage of V1 is in x-axis. Now, take a photo of your own waveform,
and place it in Figure 4.

Fig. 3. I(D1) vs. V1 (sample). Fig. 4. Current along Diode D1.

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SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

2.3 Modify your simulation waveform. Display in the x-axis the voltage across the diode D1. In y-axis,
display the current along the diode D1. Take a snapshot of this waveform, and place it in Figure 5.
Complete the caption of Figure 5 by writing the part number of your diode D1. (Example: The part
number of diode D1 in Figure 1 is 1N914.)

Fig. 5. Current-Voltage Characteristics of Diode _________.

2.4 Based on the simulation results in Figure 4 and Figure 5, indicate in Table 2 the voltage and current
of diode D1.
Table 2. Current and Voltage of Diode _________.
Voltage of Bias V1 Voltage across Diode D1 Current along Diode D1
- 10 V
-5V
0V
0.25 V
0.50 V
0.75 V
1V
5V
10 V

2.5 Based on the simulation results, briefly explain how to turn on the diode?
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2.6 Based on the simulation results, briefly explain how to turn off the diode?
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SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

Part 3: Half-Wave Rectifier

Our objective is to simulate the operation of a Half-Wave Rectifier circuit using the LTSPICE tool.

3.1 Connect in LTSPICE the circuit diagram of Half-Wave Rectifier in Figure 6. The student or group may
use another kind of rectifier diode for diode D1, another value of resistance for resistor R1, and
another voltage level for ac sine-wave voltage source V1. Take the photo of your own circuit diagram
drawn in LTSPICE, and place it in Figure 7.

Fig. 6. Half-Wave Rectifier (sample). Fig. 7. Connection of Half-Wave Rectifier.

3.2 Include a SPICE directive in your schematic diagram. In Figure 6, the directive is .TRAN 0.1. This
directive describes the transient simulation with a time stop of 0.1 second or 100 millisecond. The
resulting waveform in transient simulation is similar with the display of oscilloscope instrument,
wherein the x-axis is also time. In Figure 6, the input V1 is a sine-wave voltage source with 0 V dc level,
10 V amplitude, and 60 Hertz frequency. With a time stop of 100 ms and with 60 Hz sine wave input
(16.67 ms period), the simulation results displayed 6 cycles as shown in Figure 8. For your simulation,
set the transient simulation to display 3 complete cycles. Run your simulation, and show the
waveforms of input voltage V1 and output voltage across R1. Figure 8 shows the example of
simulation waveforms for the half-wave rectifier circuit in Figure 6. Now, take a photo of your own
waveforms, and place it in Figure 9.

Fig. 8. Signals in HW Rectifier (sample). Fig. 9. Input and Output Voltages in HW Rectifier.
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SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

3.3 Based on the simulation results in Figure 9, determine the peak voltages of input voltage V1 and of
output voltage across resistor R1.

Vinput(max) = _________________. Voutput(max) = _________________.

Briefly explain the discrepancy between the input voltage and output voltage.
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3.4 Based on the simulation results in Figure 9, determine the frequency of input voltage V1 and of output
voltage across resistor R1.

frequency(input) = _________________. frequency(output) = __________________.

3.5 Briefly explain the operation of Half-Wave Rectifier.

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Part 4: Full-Wave Rectifier

Our objective is to simulate the operation of a Full-Wave Rectifier circuit using the LTSPICE tool.

4.1 Connect in LTSPICE the circuit of Full-Wave Rectifier in Figure 10. The student or group may use
another kind of rectifier diode for diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4, another value of resistance for resistor
R1, and another voltage level for ac sine-wave voltage source V1. Take the photo of your own circuit
diagram drawn in LTSPICE, and place it in Figure 11.

Fig. 10. Full-Wave Rectifier (sample). Fig. 11. Connection of Full-Wave Rectifier.
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SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

4.2 Include a SPICE directive in your schematic diagram. For your simulation, set the transient simulation
to display 4 complete cycles. Run your simulation, and show the following waveforms: current along
diode D1; current along current D2; current along diode D3; current along diode D4; input voltage V1;
and output voltage across resistor R1. Take a photo of your waveforms, and place it in Figure 12.

Fig. 12. Waveforms of Currents and Voltages in Full-Wave Rectifier.

4.3 Based on the simulation results in Figure 12, briefly describe which diodes turn on during the positive
half cycle of the input voltage and during the negative half-cycle of the input voltage.
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4.4 Based on the simulation results in Figure 12, determine the peak voltages of input voltage V1 and of
output voltage across resistor R1.

Vinput(max) = _________________. Voutput(max) = _________________.

Briefly explain the discrepancy between the input voltage and output voltage.
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SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

4.6 Based on the simulation results in Figure 12, determine the frequency of input voltage V1 and of
output voltage across resistor R1.

frequency(input) = _________________. frequency(output) = __________________.

4.7 Briefly explain the operation of Full-Wave Rectifier.

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