Types of Diodes

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

P-N Junction Diodes

Zener Diodes

Schottky Diodes

Shockley Diodes Varactor Diodes

Photosensitive Diodes

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

Photosensitive Diodes

Light Emitting Diode LED

Photodiodes

Photo voltaic cells

Types of Diodes and Their Uses

1.P.P-N Junction Diodes:

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

The characteristics of a regular P- junction diode show that it is designed primarily for operation in the forward direction. Are used to allow current to flow in one direction while blocking current flow in the opposite direction. direction. A K

Schematic Symbol for a PN Junction Diode

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

2.Zener Diodes:
The Zener diode is a heavily doped diode which, as a result of doping, has

a very narrow depletion region. This allows the diode to be operated in

the reverse biased region of the characteristic curve without damaging the P junction.

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

Are specifically designed to operate under reverse breakdown conditions, have a higher resistance to current flow. flow. These diodes have a very accurate and specific reverse breakdown voltage voltage. . Does not obey Ohms law

K
Schematic Symbol for a Zener Diode

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

Figure

shows

a zener

representative diode circuit.

regulator

the circuit contains a series resistor, zener diode, load device, and a dc power supply.

The primary function of this circuit is to maintain the load voltage at a constant 15 V. With 25 V applied, current through RS will cause a voltage drop of 10 V.

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

The output voltage or VZ across the diode is therefore 15 V. An increase in the supply voltage to 30 V would simply cause the zener to conduct more current. The voltage drop across RS would therefore increase to 15 V. This in turn would cause VZ and the load voltage to remain at 15 V. A decrease in supply voltage to 20 V would cause a reduction in total current. The voltage drop across RS would now drop to only 5 V. The load voltage across the diode would continue to be 15 V.

This means that the regulated output will remain at 15 V for a change in supply voltage from 20 to 30 V. Voltage regulation is an important function of many electronic circuits today.
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3.Schottky Diodes:

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

These diodes are designed to have a very fast switching time which makes them a great diode for digital circuit applications. applications . They are very common in computers because of their ability to be switched on and off so quickly quickly. .
A K
Schematic Symbol for a Schottky Diode

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

4.Shockley Diodes: The Shockley diode is a four four-layer diode while other diodes are normally made with only two layers. layers. These types of

diodes are generally used to control the average power delivered to a load load. .
A K

Schematic Symbol for a fourfourlayer Shockley Diode

5. Varactor Diodes:

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

Varactors have a very light dose of impurities near the junction. Moving away from the junction the impurity level increases. This type of construction produces a much steeper voltagecapacitance relationship. Varactor diodes are normally operated in the reverse bias direction. With an increase in reverse biasing the depletion region increases.
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5. Varactor Diodes:

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

A decrease in reverse bias voltage causes a corresponding increase in capacitance. In effect, the capacitance of a diode varies inversely with its bias voltage. Varactor diodes are used primarily in resonant circuits where some level of tuning or frequency control is desired.

Schematic Symbols for Photodiodes

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Photosensitive Diodes

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

Light Emitting Diode LED

Photodiodes

Photo voltaic cells

Varactor Diodes

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a.Light Emitting Diode: LED

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

LightLight -emitting diodes are semiconductor diodes which emit light when current passes through them them. . It contains a Pforward current
A K

junction that emits light when passing

Schematic Symbol for a LightLight -Emitting Diode

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P-N JUNCTION DIODE

What is an LED?
Light-emitting diode LightSemiconductor Has polarity

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P-N JUNCTION DIODE

LED: How It Works

When current across a diode flows

Negative electrons move one way and positive holes move the other way

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P-N JUNCTION DIODE

LED: How It Works

The holes exist at a lower energy level than the free electrons

Therefore when a free electrons falls it losses energy

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P-N JUNCTION DIODE

LED: How It Works

This energy is emitted in a form of a photon, which causes light

The color of the light is determined by the fall of the electron and hence energy level of the photon
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P-N JUNCTION DIODE

Inside a Light Emitting Diode

1. 2. 3.

Transparent Plastic Case Terminal Pins Diode

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P-N JUNCTION DIODE

Kinds of LEDs

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P-N JUNCTION DIODE

How to Connect a LED:

Requires 1.5~2.5V and 10 mA To prevent overloading, use resistor 470

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b. Photodiodes:
light. light .

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

While LEDs emit light, Photodiodes are sensitive to received They are constructed so their P-N junction can be

exposed to the outside through a clear window or lens lens. .

This device is designed for operation in the reverse bias direction. An external voltage source is

required to reverse bias the device.

In Photoconductive mode the saturation current increases in proportion to the intensity of the received light. light. This type of diode is used in CD players players. .

Schematic Symbols for Photodiodes 22

c. Photovoltaic Cells:

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

When the P-N junction is exposed to a certain wavelength of light, the diode generates voltage and can be used as an energy source. source .
o outside source of electricity is needed to produce current. when light is applied, an interesting condition can be observed. Photocurrent (IPH) will flow in the circuit because of the photovoltage (VPH) that is developed across the junction.

VPH is due to the generation of new electron-hole pairs in the depletion

region.

c. Photovoltaic Cells:
Electrons move into the

P-N JUNCTION DIODE

material because of its normal positive ion

concentration. Holes are likewise swept into the P material because of its negative-ion content This action causes the material to immediately take on a negative charge

and the P material to take on a positive charge. The P- junction therefore responds as a small voltage cell.

This type of diode is used in the production of solar power. power.

Schematic Symbols for Photodiodes

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