Electronics 1 (Electronics Devices and Circuits)

Module No. : 05
Topic/s : Special Types of Diodes

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the student should be able to:

 discuss the functions and characteristics of special types of diodes

INTRODUCTION

The diode is the most used semiconductor device in electronics circuits. It is a two-terminal electrical check valve
that allows the flow of current in one direction. They are mostly made up of silicon but germanium is also used.
Usually, they are used for rectification. But there are different properties & characteristics of diodes which can be
used for different application. These characteristics are modified to form different types of diodes. Nowadays,
several different types of diodes having different properties are available.

DISCUSSION

Special Types of Diodes

Avalanche Diode

An avalanche diode is a type of semiconductor diode which is designed to experience avalanche breakdown at a
specified reverse bias voltage.

Backward Diode

A backward diode is a semiconductor device which works in reversed biased mode. It is designed by providing
variation in the design characteristics of Zener diode and tunnel diode. It is unilateral device and its designing
mechanism allows it to operate in one direction only. It is designed for specific purpose. It works in the same way
in reverse biasing as the conventional diode operates in forward biasing. The negative resistance characteristics of
tunnel diode are used in the backward diode.

Gunn Diode

It is a diode which has a negative resistance region that depends on a specific form of quantum mechanical band
structure. It exhibits Gunn effect. It consists of the appearance of RF current oscillations in a DC slab of n-type
gallium arsenide. It is mostly used as microwave oscillator.

Laser Diode

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 1
Electronics 1 (Electronics Devices and Circuits)
Module No. : 05
Topic/s : Special Types of Diodes

It is a special diode which emits a coherent and monochromatic light due to LASING. Laser stands for Light
Amplification with Simulated Emission of Radiation. The first laser was the RUBY LASER invented by Dr.
Theodore Maiman in 1958.

Light Emitting Diode

It is the most common type of special diodes which illuminates once forward biased. Light is produced as the
electron and hole recombines and release energy. This process is called as electroluminescence. The visible
particles of light as emitted from the LED are known as photons. The compound element mostly used as its
construction is Gallium Arsenide Phosphide. LED'S are usually used in power display indicators, level indicators,
status indicators, street lamps, TV's and etc.

Photodiode

It is a semiconductor diode whose resistance decreases as light intensity striking into its opening increases. The
increase in reverse current is due to the increase in the number of free electrons. It is mostly applied in remote
control systems and sensor systems.

PIN Diode

It has an intrinsic material in between the P and N type materials. The intrinsic material offers impedance at
microwave frequencies controllable by a DC bias. It is commonly used for high-speed switching such as
microwave switch.

Shockley Diode

Shockley diode is a four-layer (P-N-P-N) device. It conducts when it is forward biased and stops conducting when
it is reverse biased. The major difference between conventional diode and Shockley diode is, it starts conducting
when the forward voltage exceeds break-over voltage. It was invented by William Bradford Shockley, and that’s
why it is named after its inventor.
Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT
jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 2
Electronics 1 (Electronics Devices and Circuits)
Module No. : 05
Topic/s : Special Types of Diodes

Schottky Diode

It is also a kind of special diode which has a rectifying metal semiconductor junction. The P-region is substituted
by a metallic component so as to improve its conductivity. The current flow of this diode is not accompanied by
hole movement only electrons. It is also called as *HOT SURFACE DIODE or SURFACE BARRIER DIODE

Step Recovery Diode

It is the fastest diode in terms of switching. In its construction, it has a variable doping level. It is the most heavily
doped at the junction and such is reduced toward the terminal.

Transient Voltage Suppression Diode

A transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diode, also transil or thyrector, is an electronic component used to protect
electronics from voltage spikes induced on connected wires. The device operates by shunting excess current when
the induced voltage exceeds the avalanche breakdown potential. It is a clamping device, suppressing all
overvoltages above its breakdown voltage. It automatically resets when the overvoltage goes away but absorbs
much more of the transient energy internally than a similarly rated crowbar device.

Tunnel Diode

It is a heavily doped diode with negative resistance region. It has a very thin depletion region for the electron to
easily tunnel through it. This special diode was developed by Dr. Leo Esaki that is why it is also called as ESAKI
DIODE. The tunnel diode possesses the negative resistance region. It is a unique characteristic wherein a rise in
voltage will result to a drop in current. Thus, defying Ohm's Law. This characteristic enables the tunnel diode to
be used in oscillator circuits.

Varactor Diode

It is used to make change in capacitance of the reversed biased junction. The capacitance varies as a function of
the applied reverse voltage. It is also called as VARICAP or EPICAP. These are mostly used in tuning circuits.

Zener Diode

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 3
Electronics 1 (Electronics Devices and Circuits)
Module No. : 05
Topic/s : Special Types of Diodes

These are diodes that are designed to operate in the breakdown region. It has a constant voltage at the breakdown
region. It was first developed by Dr. Carl Zener. It is use in voltage regulator of a power supply. At forward bias,
the zener diode has identical characteristics with an ordinary diode. At reverse bias, it enables current flow at
reverse breakdown potential known as the Zener Breakdown.

BEYOND THE LESSON: THOUGHTS FOR SELF-REFLECTION

“Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let
the oppressed go free And break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:6

REFERENCES

Boylestad, Robert. (2013). Semiconductor Diodes. Electronics Device and Circuits Theory. (11 th edition, Chapter
30, pp. 55-67). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Publication, Inc.

Engr. Jayson Paul V. Vicencio, EcE, EcT

jvvicencio@wesleyan.edu.ph
College of Engineering and Computer Technology
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Page | 4