Electronic Circuits Lab

Semiconductor Diode Characteristics

A semiconductor diode is a two-terminal electronic device
made of a p-type and an n-type semiconductor material. It has a
variety of applications in electronics, including as a rectifier,
voltage regulator, and switch.
The following are some important characteristics of a
semiconductor diode:
Forward bias: When a diode is connected to a power source
with the positive terminal connected to the p-type material
and the negative terminal connected to the n-type material,
it is said to be forward biased. In this state, the diode
conducts current and has a low resistance.
Reverse bias: When a diode is connected to a power source
with the positive terminal connected to the n-type material
and the negative terminal connected to the p-type material,
it is said to be reverse biased. In this state, the diode does
not conduct current and has a very high resistance.
Forward voltage drop: When a diode is forward biased, it has
a voltage drop across it, known as the forward voltage drop.
The forward voltage drop depends on the type of diode and
the current flowing through it.
Reverse breakdown voltage: When a diode is reverse
biased, it has a breakdown voltage, beyond which the diode
starts conducting in the reverse direction. The breakdown
voltage depends on the type of diode and the doping
concentration of the semiconductor material.
 Electronic Circuits Lab

Semiconductor Diode Characteristics

Temperature dependence: The characteristics of a diode are
affected by temperature. As the temperature increases, the
forward voltage drop decreases and the reverse leakage
current increases.
Capacitance: A diode has a small capacitance, known as the
junction capacitance, which varies with the reverse bias
voltage. This capacitance is important in high-frequency
applications.
Switching speed: A diode can switch from forward to reverse
bias and vice versa very quickly, making it suitable for high-
speed switching applications.
Power dissipation: A diode can dissipate power in the form of
heat. The maximum power that a diode can dissipate without
being damaged is known as the maximum power dissipation
rating.
Rectification: A diode is commonly used as a rectifier to
convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). In this
application, the diode allows current to flow in one direction
while blocking it in the other direction.
Reverse recovery time: When a diode switches from forward
to reverse bias, it takes a certain amount of time for the
current to stop flowing in the forward direction and start
flowing in the reverse direction. This time period is known as
the reverse recovery time and is an important characteristic
of high-speed diodes.
 Electronic Circuits Lab

Semiconductor Diode Characteristics

Noise: A diode can generate noise when it is operated in
reverse-biased mode. This noise is known as shot noise and
is caused by the random movement of charge carriers in the
semiconductor material.
Light emission: When a diode is forward biased and current
flows through it, it can emit light. This phenomenon is used in
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for applications such as lighting
and displays.
Avalanche breakdown: In some diodes, when the reverse
bias voltage exceeds a certain value, it can cause an
avalanche breakdown, resulting in a large current flow. This
phenomenon is used in avalanche diodes for applications
such as voltage clamping and surge protection.
Zener breakdown: In some diodes, when the reverse bias
voltage exceeds a certain value, it can cause a Zener
breakdown, resulting in a controlled current flow. This
phenomenon is used in Zener diodes for applications such
as voltage regulation and reference.

Overall, the characteristics of a semiconductor diode make it a

versatile and useful component in electronics, with a wide range
of applications.
 Electronic Circuits Lab

Semiconductor Diode Characteristics

Schottky diodes: These are special types of diodes that use
a metal-semiconductor junction instead of a p-n junction.
They have a lower forward voltage drop and faster switching
speed than regular diodes, making them useful in high-speed
and high-frequency applications.
Varactor diodes: These are diodes that are designed to
operate in reverse-biased mode and have a variable
capacitance that changes with the reverse bias voltage.
They are used in applications such as frequency modulation,
phase shifting, and voltage-controlled oscillators.
Tunnel diodes: These are diodes that use quantum
mechanical tunneling to allow current to flow in the reverse
direction at very low voltages. They have a negative
resistance region in their voltage-current characteristic,
making them useful in applications such as amplifiers,
oscillators, and high-speed switching.
Photodiodes: These are diodes that generate a current when
exposed to light. They are used in applications such as
photovoltaic cells, light sensors, and optical
communications.
PIN diodes: These are diodes that have a p-type region, an
intrinsic region, and an n-type region. They have a low
capacitance and are used in applications such as high-
frequency switches, attenuators, and RF detectors.
 Electronic Circuits Lab

Semiconductor Diode Characteristics

Rectifier diodes: These are diodes that are used as rectifiers
to convert AC to DC. They have a high current rating and are
used in applications such as power supplies, battery
chargers, and motor control.

In conclusion, semiconductor diodes have a wide range of

applications in electronics, and their various characteristics
make them suitable for different types of applications.

Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs): These are diodes that use a

metal-semiconductor junction with a low barrier height. They
have a faster switching speed and lower reverse recovery
time than regular diodes, making them useful in high-speed
and high-frequency applications. They are commonly used in
power converters, voltage clamping, and power supply
circuits.
Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs): These are diodes that
are designed to allow current flow in one direction but can
be triggered to conduct in the other direction by a control
signal. They are used in applications such as AC motor
control, voltage regulation, and electronic lighting ballasts.
Gunn diodes: These are diodes that operate in a negative
resistance region of the voltage-current characteristic,
generating a high-frequency oscillation. They are used in
applications such as microwave and millimeter-wave
oscillators, amplifiers, and frequency multipliers.
 Electronic Circuits Lab

Semiconductor Diode Characteristics

Avalanche photodiodes (APDs): These are diodes that
generate a current when exposed to light and are designed
to operate in an avalanche breakdown region. They have
higher sensitivity and faster response time than regular
photodiodes and are used in applications such as optical
communication systems, laser rangefinders, and remote
sensing.
Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET):
Although not strictly a diode, MOSFETs are semiconductor
devices that use a p-n junction between the gate and the
channel. They have high input impedance, low power
consumption, and can operate as a switch or amplifier. They
are used in a wide range of applications such as digital logic
circuits, power amplifiers, and voltage regulators.

In summary, there are various types of diodes with unique

characteristics that make them suitable for different
applications. Choosing the right diode for a specific application
depends on factors such as operating voltage, current,
frequency, power dissipation, and cost.