DIODES

DIODES
 Are electronic components functions as a one way
valve, it means it allow current to flow in one
direction.

 These diodes are manufactured by the

semiconductor materials : germanium, silicon and
selenium.
 Diode Characteristics
 The “arrowhead” in the diode symbol
points in the
direction opposite the electron flow
 The anode (A) is the p region
 The cathode (K) is the n region
 DIODES INTRODUCTION
 Invented in 1904 by John Ambrose
Fleming.

 Was constructed with two electrodes in

the form of a vacuum tube.
 In 1906, Lee Dee Forest added a 3rd electrode
called a control grid and triode, which is used
as amplifier, switch.

 The application of triode created a new era

broadcasting with the invention of the crystal
radio sensor by Pickard, 1912.
 Commonly used in DC power
supply units as a rectifiers and
voltage regulators, clippers,
clamper, circuit.

 Comes in different shape an size.

 Operation of diode can be classified in two
ways: if it allows the current then it is
forward bias, otherwise it is reversed bias

 Different types of Diodes have different

voltage requirements.
The construction and symbol of diode
 The construction and symbol of Diode

 Made from a combination of 2 extrinsic

semiconductors P-type and N-Type material.
 The joint between the P-type and N-Type
material is called PN JUNCTION
 Have 2 terminal – anode and cathode.
 Produced from the silicon water.
DIODE APPLICATIONS
 POWER DIODE

 Rectifying power supply circuit (Rectifier =

penerus )
 SIGNAL DIODE

 signal sensor in radar

 ZENER DIODE

 Voltage regulator in power supply circuit

 Voltage clipper in power supply circuit.
A diode designed for limiting the
voltage across its terminals in
reverse bias.
A zener diode maintains a nearly
constant voltage across its terminals
over a specified range of Zener
currents.
Explanation:
A Zener Diode is a silicon pn junction device
that is designed for operation in reverse
breakdown region. The breakdown voltage of
Zener diode is set by controlling the doping
level during the manufacture.
 Light Emitting Diode -LED

 Indicator light in electronic circuit

 A LED emits light when forward biased
 LEDs are available for either infrared or
visible light
 High intensity LEDs are used in large-
screen displays, traffic lights, automotive
lightning and home lightning etc.
Explanation:
When the device is forward biased, electrons
across the PN Junction from the n-type
materials, recombine with holed in the p-type
material.
The difference in energy between the electrons
and the holes corresponds to the energy of
visible light.
 TUNNEL DIODE

 Oscillator circuit in an oscilloscope

 It is used as high speed switch of order nano-
seconds.
 Due to tunneling effect, it has very fast operation
in microwave frequency region.
 It is mostly used in microwave oscillators and
amplifiers. It acts as most negative conductance
device. Tunnel diodes can be tuned in both
mechanically and electrically.
 VARACTOR DIODE

 Variable capacitor in a tune circuit

A variable capacitance diode.
The capacitance of a varactory varies
inversely with reverse-bias voltage
The current regulator diode keeps its
forward current at a constant specified
value.
Explanation:
A varactor is a diode that always operates in
reverse bias and is doped to maximize the
inherent capacitance of the depletion region.
The depletion region act as a capacitor
dielectric because of its nonconductive
characteristic.
 PHOTO DIODE

 Light sensor in a remote control unit

 the photo diode is a device that operates in
reverse bias.
 The photo diode exhibits an increase in
reverse current with light intensity
 A diode in which the reverse current varies
directly with the amount of light.
Explanation:
The photo diode has a small transparent
window that allows light to strike the PN
junction
When its PN junction is exposed to light, the
reverse current increases with the light
intensity. When there is no incident light, the
reverse current is almost negligible and is
called the dark current
 LASER DIODE

 Focused single color light source in

compact disc player.
The term Laser stands for Light Amplification
by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Laser light is Monochromatic, which means it
consists of a single color and not a mixture of
colors.
Laser light is also called coherent light which
means single wavelength
Applications:
Laser diodes are used in the following:
 pick up system of compact disc players (CD)
laser printers
Fiber-optic systems
Treatment of cancer