• Barrier Voltage

– Barrier voltage prevents the further combination

of electrons and holes which limits the size of
depletion region
– Barrier Voltage is higher for a silicon PN junction
diode as compared to germanium PN junction
diode
– Barrier Voltage cannot be measured because it
exists inside the junction diode
• Diode Biasing
– The voltage applied to the semiconductor diode is
referred to as bias voltage.
– The type of bias voltages:
• Forward Bias
• Reverse Bias
• Forward Bias
– A forward biased diode conducts current in the
forward direction
– A forward biased diode conducts current as long
as a high external bias voltage with correct
polarity is applied
• Reverse Bias
– Extremely small current flows through the diode
during reverse biasing. The minority carriers are
forced towards the junction where they combine
and support an extremely small current
• Types of Diode I
– There are several diodes available in the market. Each type of diode
has its own characteristic, which make them suitable for different
electronic devices.
• PN Junction Diode
– These are standard types of diodes. They are formed by combining
a P-type and an N-type semiconductor. These diodes are used in
radio frequency applications.
• Is there any device that acts like an ideal diode?
– Yes, an ordinary switch has zero resistance when closed and infinite
resistance when open. Therefore, an ideal diode acts like a switch
that closes when forward biased and opens when reverse biased.
Ideal diode

Reverse bias

Forward bias
• Types of Diode II

• Zener Diode
– Zener diodes have a low pre-determined Reverse
Breakdown Voltage called Zener Voltage (Vzk).
• Light Emitting Diode
– The LED diodes are used in television sets to
indicate whether the television is on or is on a
standby mode.
• Photodiode
– Photodiodes are used for detecting light in optical
fibers and other light-sensitive applications.
• Schottky Diodes
– It is used in radio frequency applications.

• PIN Diodes
– Used in power rectifiers and RF protection circuits.
• LED
– Light-emitting Diode
• Charge carriers recombination takes place at the p–n junction as
electron crosses from the n-side and recombines with holes on the
p-side.
• When the junction is forward-biased the free electron is in the
conduction band and is at a higher energy level than the hole
located at valence band.
• The recombination process involves radiation of energy in the
form of photons. If the semiconductor material is transparent, the
light will be emitted and the junction becomes a light source, i.e., a
light-emitting diode (LED). LEDs are p–n junctions that can emit
spontaneous radiation in ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions.
– Advantages of LEDs
• Low operating voltage, current and power consumption
make LEDs compatible with electronic drive circuits.
• LEDs exhibit high resistance to mechanical shock and
vibration and allow them to be used in severe
environment conditions.
• LEDs ensure a longer operating life line, thereby
improving the overall reliability and lowering the
maintenance costs of equipment.
• LEDs have low inherent noise levels and also high
immunity to externally generated noise.
– Limitations of LEDs
• Temperature dependence of radiant output power and
wavelength.
• Sensitivity to damages by over voltage or over current.
• Theoretical overall efficiency is not achieved except in
special cooled or pulsed conditions.
• Use of diode in a Rectifier – I
• The description of the following types of
rectifiers would explain the use of diodes in
each of them:
– Half wave Rectifier
– Full wave Rectifier
– Bridge Rectifier
• Half wave Rectifier
– A rectifier which converts an AC signal into DC by allowing either positive or negative cycle of an incoming AC
signal is called a Half Wave rectifier. The output is a series of positive or negative pulses, depending on how
diode is connected in the circuit.

• Use of diode in a Half wave Rectifier –II

–A silicon diode is placed in series with the load so that current can flow in only one
direction and not in the other.
–During positive cycle diode is forward biased . So that the diode offers very low
resistance and allow the current flow.
–In the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased and hence it conducts no
current.
• Use of diode in a Full wave Rectifier – I
– A rectifier which converts an AC signal into DC by allowing both
positive and negative cycles of an incoming AC signal is called as a Full
Wave rectifier.
– In Full wave rectifier, circuit uses two diodes D1 and D2 with center
tapped transformer.
• Use of diode in a Full wave Rectifier – II
– During the positive half cycle of secondary, diode
D1 becomes forward biased and D2 is reverse
biased. Hence diode D1 conducts and D2 does
not.
– During negative half cycle, D2 becomes forward
biased and D1 is reverse biased. Hence D2
conducts and D1 does not.
• The output of a full wave rectifier is shown below.
• Use of diodes and rectifiers in a computer
– Diodes are used to create power supplies and
voltage doublers.
• Rectifiers are specific assemblies of diodes , which act
as a power regulator for your computer.
• Rectifiers help in reducing power losses, and thus help
in creating a cooler operating temperature.