Overview of Semiconductors

PN junction diode
Zener diode
Diode circuits: rectifiers, half and full wave
Bridge type rectifier, filter circuit
Semiconductor Devices
PN junction diode
• A PN junction is a device formed by joining p-type with n-type
semiconductors and separated by a thin junction is called a PN
junction diode.
Symbol
ZENER DIODE
• Zener diode is designed to operate in the breakdown region.
• It is heavily doped than ordinary diode.
Operation of zener diode
• Under FB,it operates same as ordinary PN diode.
• Under RB,breakdown of juncition occurs.
• For heavily doped,breakdown occurs at lower reverse voltage.
• For lightly doped,breakdown occurs at higher reverse voltage.
Half wave Rectifier
Half wave Rectifier input and output
Operation of Bridge Rectifier
Full Wave Bridge rectifier circuit
Full wave Bridge Rectifier
FILTERS
• Filters are used to minimize the undesirable ac ie ripple leaving only
the dc component to appear at the output.
• Types:
• 1.Inductor filter
• 2.Capacitor filter
• 3.LC filter
• 4.CLC filter
Capacitor filter
• The property of capacitor is that it allows ac
component and blocks dc component.
• It short the ripple to ground but leave the dc to
appear at the output.
• During positive half cycle,C charges upto peak value of
transformer secondary Vm and try to maintain this as
input falls to zero.
• C discharges through load slowly until Vm again
increases to a value greater than C voltage.
LC FILTER
• Ripple factor is independent of load resistance.
• If the value of inductance is increased,it will increase the time of
conduction.
• At some critical value of L,one diode will always be conducting.