Unit1:Diode Circuits Ideal Diode

where VF is the forward voltage across the diode and IF is the forward current through the diode. The ideal diode, therefore, is a short circuit for the region of conduction. Consider the region of negatively applied potential (third quadrant) of Fig. 1.1b,

where VR is reverse voltage across the diode and IR is reverse current in the diode. The ideal diode, therefore, is an open circuit in the region of nonconduction.

EXTRINSIC MATERIALS n- AND p-TYPE

A semiconductor material that has been subjected to the doping process is called an extrinsic material. The n-type is created by introducing those impurity elements that have five valence electrons (pentavalent), such as antimony, arsenic, and phosphorus. In an n-type material (Fig. 1.13a) the electron is called the majority carrier and the hole the minority carrier. The p-type material is formed by doping a pure germanium or silicon crystal with impurity atoms having three valence electrons. The elements most frequently used for this purpose are boron, gallium and indium. In a p-type material the hole is the majority carrier and the electron is the minority carrier. In the absence of an applied bias voltage, the net flow of charge in any one direction for a semiconductor diode is zero. The current that exists under reverse-bias conditions is called the reverse saturation current and is represented by Is.

No Applied Bias (VD _ 0 V) Reverse-Bias Condition (VD 0 V) Forward-Bias Condition (VD 0 V) ID=IS[e^(VD/nVT)-1]

RESISTANCE LEVELS
the type of applied voltage or signal will define the resistance level of interest. Three different levels will be introduced in this section. DC or Static Resistance: The application of a dc voltage to a circuit containing a semiconductor diode will result in an operating point on the characteristic curve that will not change with time. The resistance of the diode at the operating point can be found simply by finding the corresponding levels of VD and ID

RD=VD/ID

: Rd=Vd/Id
We have found the dynamic resistance graphically, but there is a basic definition in differential calculus which states: The derivative of a function at a point is equal to the slope of the tangent line drawn at that point.

Average AC Resistance: The average ac resistance is, by definition, the resistance determined by a
straight line drawn between the two intersections established by the maximum and minimum values of input voltage.

As with the dc and ac resistance levels, the lower the level of currents used to determine the average resistance the higher the resistance level.

Analytical expression for dynamic resistance of diode

Bulk resistance: sum of body resistance and contact resistance

rd=rd+rb
DIODE EQUIVALENT CIRCUITS
An equivalent circuit is a combination of elements properly chosen to best represent the actual terminal characteristics of a device, system, or such in a particular operating region.

Piecewise-Linear Equivalent Circuit