Description A light-emitting diode (LED) is one of the most popular types of diodes and when this diode permits

the transfer of electric current between the electrodes, light is produced. Function When a light-emitting diode is forward-biased (switched on), electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. LEDs emit light when an electric current passes through them. Application Visual signals where light goes more or less directly from the source to the human eye, to convey a message or meaning.
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Illumination where light is reflected from objects to give visual response of these objects.

Measuring and interacting with processes involving no human vision.

Description A laser diode is a laser whose active medium is a semiconductor similar to that found in a light-emitting diode. The most common type of laser diode is formed from a p-n junction and powered by injected electric current. Function Laser diodes form a subset of the larger classification of semiconductor p-

n junction diodes. Forward electrical bias across the laser diode causes the two
species of charge carrier holes and electrons to be "injected" from opposite sides of the p-n junction into the depletion region.

Application In this category one might include the laser printers, barcode readers, image scanning, illuminators, designators, optical data recording, combustion ignition, laser surgery, industrial sorting, industrial machining, and directed energy weaponry.

Description
The photo-diode is used for detecting light. It is found that when light strikes a PN junction it can create electrons and holes. Photo-diodes can also be used to generate electricity. Function

In this mode the diode is often reverse biased , dramatically reducing the response time at the expense of increased noise. This increases the width of the depletion layer, which decreases the junction's capacitance resulting in faster response times. Application The PIN photo-diode does not have any gain, and for some applications this may be a disadvantage. Despite this it is still the most widely used form of diode, finding applications in audio CD players, DVD players as well as computer CD drives.

Description The Gunn diode is a unique component - even though it is called a diode, it does not contain a PN diode junction. The Gunn diode or transferred electron device can be termed a diode because it does have two electrodes. Function The Gunn diode is not like a typical PN junction diode. Rather than having both p-type and n-type semiconductor, it only utilizes n-type semiconductor where electrons are the majority carriers. The Gunn diode operation depends upon the very thin active region for its operation. It may also be used as an RF amplifier. Application The Gunn diode is most commonly used for generating microwave RF signals these circuits may also be called a transferred electron oscillator or TEO. The Gunn diode may also be used for an amplifier in what may be known as a transferred electron amplifier or TEA.

Description The PIN diode differs from the basic PN junction diode in that the PIN diode includes a layer of intrinsic material between the P and N layers. As a result of the intrinsic layer, PIN diodes have a high breakdown voltage and they also exhibit a low level of junction capacitance. Function The PIN diode operates in exactly the same way as a normal diode. The only real difference is that the depletion region that normally exists between the P and N regions in an unbiased or reverse biased diode is larger. Application The PIN diode makes an ideal RF switch. The intrinsic layer between the P and N regions increases the distance between them. This also decreases the capacitance between them, thereby increasing the level of isolation when the diode is reverse biased.

Description The Schottky diode or Schottky Barrier diode is an electronics component that is widely used for radio frequency (RF) applications as a mixer or detector diode. Function The most important difference between the p-n and Schottky diode is reverse recovery time, when the diode switches from conducting to non-conducting state. Where in a p-n diode the reverse recovery time can be in the order of 100 ns and less than 100 ns for fast diodes, Schottky diodes do not have a recovery time, as there is nothing to recover from.

Application The Schottky diode is also used in power applications as a rectifier, again because of its low forward voltage drop leading to lower levels of power loss compared to ordinary PN junction diodes.

Description The step recovery diode is fabricated with the doping level gradually decreasing as the junction is approached or as a direct PIN structure. Function The step recovery diode is used as what is termed a charge controlled switch. When the step recovery diode is forward biased and charge enters it, the diode

appears as a normal diode and it behaves in much the same way. When diodes switch from forward conduction to reverse cut-off, a reverse current flow briefly as stored charge is removed. Application The step recovery diode finds a number of applications in microwave radio frequency electronics as pulse generator or parametric amplifier.

Description The tunnel diode is similar to a standard p-n junction in many respects except that the doping levels are very high. Also the depletion region, the area between the p-type and n-type areas, where there are no carriers is very narrow. Function The characteristic curve for a tunnel diode shows an area of negative resistance. When forward biased the current in the diode rises at first, but later it can be seen to fall with increasing voltage, before finally rising again. Application The tunnel diode was found many microwave applications because semiconductor devices of the day could not reach these frequencies. Although not widely used today, it is still sometimes mentioned and it is a fascinating device.

Description Varactor diodes or varicap diodes normally enable much higher ranges of capacitance change to be gained as a result of the way in which they are manufactured. Function The diode is operated under reverse bias conditions and this gives rise to three regions. At either end of the diode are the P and N regions where current can be conducted. As a result, current can be carried in the P and N regions, but the depletion region is an insulator. Application Varactor diodes are widely used within the RF design arena. They provide a method of varying the capacitance within a circuit by the application of a control voltage.

Description As such Zener diodes provide an essential building block for many circuits - one which could not easily be overcome if they were not available for some reason. Function Zener diodes operate like an ordinary diode in the forward bias direction. For very low voltages, like a normal diode they do not conduct at all. However once a certain voltage is reached the diode "breaks down" and current flows. Application Zener diodes are widely used as voltage reference diodes in electronics circuits. Zener diodes allow simple voltage regulator circuits to be made, and in addition to this they are cheap and easy to manufacture.