E L E C T R O N I C S :

C O M P U TA T I O N A N D
D E S I G N A N A LY S I S

DIODE
 Once you graduate from simple, passive components that are
resistors, capacitors, and inductors; it’s time to step up to the
wonderful world of semiconductors. One of the most widely used
DIODE semiconductor is the diode.
 A diode is a specialized electronic component with two electrodes
DIODE called the anode and the cathode. Most diodes are made with
semiconductor materials such as silicon, germanium, or selenium.
The key function of a diode is to control the direction of current-
flow.
DIODE
• Every diode has two terminals – connections on each
end of the component – and those terminals are
polarized, meaning the two terminals are distinctly
different.

• The positive end of a diode is called the anode, and the

negative end is called the cathode. Current can flow
from the anode end to the cathode, but not the other
direction.
D I O D E R E P R E S E N TAT I O N S
DIODE
O P E R AT I O N
• Current passing through a diode can only go in one
direction, called the forward direction. Current trying to
flow in the reverse direction is blocked. They’re like one
way valve of electronics

• When the polarity of the battery is such that electrons

are allowed to flow through the diode, the diode is said
Diode Operation: (a) Current flow is permitted; the diode is forward-
to be forward-biased. Conversely, when the battery is biased. (b) Current flow is prohibited; diode is reversed-biased.
“backward” and the diode blocks current, the diode is
said to be reversed biased. A diode may be thought of as
a switch: “closed” when forward-biased and “open”
when reversed-biased.
DIODE
O P E R AT I O N

Diode behavior is analogous to the behavior of a hydraulic

device called a check valve. A check valve allows fluid to
flow through it in only one direction
DIODE
O P E R AT I O N
• If a reverse-biasing voltage is applied across the P-N
junction, this depletion region expands, further resisting
any current through it.

• Conversely, if a forward-biasing voltage is applied across

the P-N junction, the depletion region collapses
becoming thinner. The diode becomes less resistive to
the current through it.
KINDS OF
DIODES
NORMAL DIODES

Standard Signal Diodes are among the

most basic, average, no-frills members
of the diode family
KINDS OF
DIODES
RECTIFIER OR POWER DIODE

A rectifier or power diode is a standard diode

with much higher maximum current rating.
KINDS OF
DIODES
LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES (LEDs)

The flashiest member of the diode

family must be the light-emitting diode
(LED). These diodes quite literally light
up when a positive voltage is applied.
KINDS OF
DIODES
SCHOTTKY DIODES

Schottky diodes are useful in limiting losses.

KINDS OF
DIODES
ZENER DIODE

Zener diodes are the weird outcast of

the diode family. They’re usually used to
intentionally conduct reverse current.
KINDS OF
DIODES
PHOTODIODES

Photodiodes are specifically constructed diodes,

which capture energy from the photons of light to
generate electrical current. Kind of operating as an
anti-LED.
S O M E D I O D E A P P L I C AT I O N S
RECTIFIERS
A rectifier is a circuit that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). This
conversion is critical for all sorts of household electronics.
S O M E D I O D E A P P L I C AT I O N S
REVERSE CURRENT PROTECTION
A diode is placed in series with a positive side of a power supply, also called as reverse
protection diode, to ensure that current only flows in one direction

LOGIC GATES
Diodes are commonly used in logic gates as switches to perform logic operations.