1.

Zener diode
Definition:
A Zener Diode, also known as a breakdown diode, is a heavily doped semiconductor device that
is designed to operate in the reverse direction. When the voltage across the terminals of a Zener
diode is reversed and the potential reaches the Zener Voltage (knee voltage), the junction breaks
down and the current flows in the reverse direction. This effect is known as the Zener Effect.

Symbol:

Application:
Zener diode is used as a Shunt voltage regulator for regulating voltage across small loads. The
Zener diode is connected parallel to the load to make it reverse bias, and once the Zener diode
exceeds knee voltage, the voltage across the load will become constant. The breakdown voltage
of Zener diodes will be constant for a wide range of currents.
 2. The Varactor Diode

Definition:
Varactor diode is a type of diode whose internal capacitance varies with respect to the reverse
voltage. It always works in reverse bias conditions and is a voltage-dependent semiconductor
device. Several names know varactor diode as Varicap, Voltcap, Voltage variable capacitance, or
Tunning diode.
Symbol:

Application:
Some applications of varactor diode are given in the points mentioned below.

 They are used in the RF design arena and provide a method of varying the capacitance
within a circuit by applying control voltage. It provides them with special capability, due
to which varactor diodes are used in the RF industry.
 These diodes are used in many circuits and find applications in two main sectors.
 FR filters – Tuning filters using varactor diodes is possible. Tracking filters can be
required in front-end receiver circuits wherein the filters are enabled to track incoming
signals’ frequency.
 Voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) – VCOs are used for many applications, and
oscillators within a phase-locked loop are the major region. VCOs are present in almost
all wireless receivers and radios.
 3. Optical Diodes

Definition:
An optical diode, or optical isolator, is an optical component which allows the transmission of
light in only one direction. It is typically used to prevent unwanted feedback into an optical
oscillator, such as a laser cavity.

Symbol:
 4. Laser Diode
Definition:
A laser diode is a semiconductor that uses a p-n junction for producing coherent radiation with
the same frequency and phase, which is either in the visible or infrared spectrum. It is also called
an injection laser diode and the technology is similar to that found in LED.

Symbol:

Application:

The following are the applications of laser diodes:

 Consumer electronics: This includes laser printers, CDs and DVD players, and fibre
optic communication.
 Industrial applications: When it comes to industrial applications, laser diode is
preferred as it is a source of a high-intensity laser beam and used for cutting, drilling,
welding, etc.
 Medical applications: Laser diodes are used for the elimination of unwanted tissues and
tumours and also in dental medication.
 Scientific instrumentation: Instruments like spectrometers, range finders, contact-less
measurements can be done with the help of laser diodes.
 The laser diode in telecom: Laser diodes with 1.3 μm and 1.55 μm bands are used as the
main source of light in telecom and as the band changes laser diodes find application in
optical amplification.
 5. The Schottky Diode
Definition:
The schottky diode is a type of metal – semiconductor junction diode, which is also known as
hot-carrier diode, low voltage diode or schottky barrier diode. The schottky diode is formed by
the junction of a semiconductor with a metal. Schottky diode offers fast switching action and has
a low forward voltage drop. As we are aware that in a PN junction diode, p-type and n-type are
joined together to form a PN junction. Whereas, in a Schottky diode metals like platinum or
aluminum are used instead of P type semiconductors. 
Symbol:

Application:
Schottky diodes have been useful for the industry of electronics that has spotted many
applications in diode rectifiers because of its unique properties. Here are some major areas where
it is widely used.
RF mixer and detector diode:
The Schottky diode consists of its radio frequency functions owing to its switching speed at the
highest level and top frequency capability. The Schottky barrier diodes come handy for diode
ring mixers with high performance.

Power rectifier:
The Schottky barrier diodes also have functions with high power as rectifiers. The high density
of current and voltage drop with low forward shows that the wastage of power is lesser than the
normal PN junction diodes.

Power OR circuits:
This diode would be useful for functions where two different power supplies drive a load like in
battery supply. It is important that the power coming from supply should not mix with the others.

Solar Cell Applications:

As we know, the solar cells are usually linked to the batteries that are rechargeable, mostly
batteries with lead-acid since power supply must be necessary round the clock. Solar cells would
not support the applied charge in reverse and thus, a diode would be used in a proportional
pattern of the solar cells.
 6. The PIN diode

Definition:
A diode with a wide and undoped intrinsic semiconductor region between a p-type and an n-type
semiconductor region. It has an undoped intrinsic semiconductor region between a p-type and an
n-type semiconductor.

Symbol:

Applications:

PIN Diode has a wide range of applications coming in various fields of physics like radio
frequency switch, microwave switch, radiofrequency attenuator, microwave attenuator,
photodetector, etc. Some applications are given below:

 These diodes are used in the RF and also for microwave switches and microwave variable
attenuators since they are said to have low capacitance.
 They are used in Photodetectors and photovoltaic cells, and the PIN photodiodes are used
for fibre optic network cards and switches.
 These diodes are effectively used for RF protection circuits, and they can also be utilized
as an RF switch.
 The PIN photodiode is also used to detect X-rays and gamma rays photons.
 7. The Step-Recovery Diode

Definition:

Step Recovery diode is a semiconductor device with unusual doping; it is also a voltage-
dependent variable capacitor. The doping density is extremely small near junction area. Thus, the
density of charge carriers is also low near the junction. Due to which charge storage is negligible
near the junction, and this leads to fast switching of the diode from ON state to OFF state.

Symbol:

Applications:

 Step Recovery Diode as Multiplier: They can multiply the frequency of signal up to 20
times. The fast switching time of Step recovery diode imparts them the ability to generate
sharp pulses. During forward biasing they store charge and when reversed biased they use
this charge to generate harmonics.
 Step Recovery Diode as Harmonic Generators: The ability of step recovery diode to
generate sharp pulses makes it appropriate to use as harmonic generators for generating
different pulses.
 It is used in voltage controlled oscillators.
 It is used in a frequency synthesizer.
  Comb Generator: It is used in comb generator for generating multiple harmonics of its
input signal. The output waveforms of this devices give the resemblance of comb teeth.
Thus, the name of this device is Comb Generator.
 Sampling Phase detector: It is used in sample phase detector for detecting the phase in a
communication system.

8. The Tunnel Diode

Definition:

A Tunnel diode is a heavily doped diode. The electric current decreases in a Tunnel diode as the
voltage increases. These diodes work on the principle of Tunneling. Tunneling means a direct
flow of the electrons from n-side to p-type. Germanium is the most commonly used material in
Tunnel diode. It is used in high-frequency oscillators and amplifiers.

Symbol:

Application:

 Tunnel diode can be used as a switch, amplifier, and oscillator.

 Since it shows a fast response, it is used as high frequency component.
 Tunnel diode acts as logic memory storage device.
 They are used in oscillator circuits, and in FM receivers. Since it is a low current device,
it is not used more.
 9. Current Regulator Diode
Definition:
The current regulating diode is also known as a current limiting diode or constant current diode
that used to limit the current for specific devices irrespective of variation in voltage. These
diodes comprise of the N channel Junction Field Effect Transistor having a gate terminal
connected with the source. This construction makes it similar to the two terminals’ current
sources or like the Zener diode.

Symbol:

Application:
 It operates in circuits where a large length of the LED string is used and in voltage
variable sources such as bulbs.
 To provide input to the solid-state relays these diodes are used.
 To provide protection to analog inputs from overvoltage.