Discussion

For the most part, in performing this experiment, we only used diodes of different kinds,
multimeters, and a power supply. A diode is a semiconductor device that essentially acts as a
one-way switch for current. It allows current to flow easily in one direction, but severely restricts
current from flowing in the opposite direction. If a diode permits current flow, it is called
forward-biased. On the other hand, if a diode acts as an insulator and do not permit current flow,
it is called reverse-biased. A diode has two terminals. The positive side is called the anode, and
the negative one is called the cathode. Physically, every diode should have an indication for
either the anode or cathode pin. Usually the diode will have a line near the cathode pin, which
matches the vertical line in the diode circuit symbol.
There are different types of diodes, the diodes that we used are generic, zener, and LED. A
generic diode also known as p-n junction diode is the simplest semiconductor device. It is a two-
terminal, bipolar, unilateral rectifying device that conducts only in one direction. While zener
diodes is a passive element works under the principle of zener breakdown. It is similar to a
generic diode in forward direction, it also allows current in reverse direction when the applied
voltage reaches the breakdown voltage. It is designed to prevent the other semiconductor devices
from momentary voltage pulses. It acts as voltage regulator. LED or light emitting diodes
convert the electrical energy in to light energy. LEDs undergoes electroluminescence process in
which holes and electrons are recombined to produce energy in the form of light in forward bias
condition. We took these diodes and measured their resistances in both forward and reverse. If
the forward resistance is significantly higher than the reverse resistance, it is in an “ok”
condition. If a diode displays a reading of OL in both directions when measured with a
multimeter, it is opened. On the contrary, if a diode displays a reading of 0 to 0.4 drop in both
directions, it is shorted. All of the diodes that we measured were in a good condition.
On the 2nd part of the experiment, we measured the diode voltage, diode current, and resistor
voltage of different voltage inputs in forward and reverse bias. This forward or reverse bias diode
is in series with a 1k ohm resistor and a voltage source. For forward bias diodes, a certain voltage
is needed for a diode to permit current flow. For silicon, it is at 0.7V while 0.3V for germanium.
In the experiment, the current started flowing in the silicon forward-biased diode at 0.5V. It
might be caused by an instrumental error since the diodes might be worn out which caused the
forward voltage to be lesser than what is intended. While minor current flow at an insignificant
value (close to 0) even at 25V in reverse bias since it do not permit current flow. On the last part
of the experiment, multiple diodes where placed in series and in parallel with the 2 resistors (1k
and 2.2k) where one of the diodes is reverse-biased in the circuit. This is to observe the effect of
reverse-biased diode in a series and parallel circuit. We observed that for a series circuit, there
will be no current flow in the entire circuit. While for parallel, there will be a current flow for
every component in the circuit except on the reverse-biased diode.
Conclusion
The experiment is mainly concerned with determining the terminals of a diode, its condition, and
observing the behavior of forward and reverse biased diodes in series and parallel circuits. The
terminal of a diode can be determined by looking for the marking or the stripe in the diode. This
marking is an indication of the cathode terminal of the diode. All of the diodes were in an “ok”
condition since their forward resistances were significantly higher than their reverse resistances.
For the 2nd part, a forward or reverse-biased diode is in series with a 1k ohm resistor and a
voltage source. In forward bias, a certain voltage is required for current to flow which is 0.7 for
silicon and 0.3 for germanium. Based on our results, the current started flowing in the silicon
diode at 0.5V. This suggests that the diode might be worn out. For the reverse bias, there were no
current flow even at 25V since it do not permit current flow. The last part of the experiment, a
voltage source, multiple diodes, and two resistors are in series and in parallel with one of the
diode in reverse-biased. Based on the results, a reverse biased diode do not permit current flow in
the entire series circuit while the current flows normally in the parallel circuit except on the
reverse-biased diode. In general, the experiment is successful in familiarizing with diodes and
the behavior of forward and reverse-bias diodes in series and parallel circuits.