Special Diodes

Schottky Diode
• Schottky diode is a device, which comes under the type of a metal –
semiconductor junction diode. Barrier diode and low voltage diodes
are the other names for Schottky diode.

• Generally, in a PN junction device, when positive type (p-type) and

negative type (n-type) are joined together they form a PN junction.
However, in a Schottky diode, materials like aluminum or platinum
are used instead of P type semiconductors. 
Schottky Diode – No bias
Under unbiased condition, electrons accumulated on the
semiconductor side will have a lower energy level than electrons
present on the metal region. Due to this reason, electrons cannot
flow across the Schottky Barrier.
Schottky Diode – Forward bias
Under forward biased condition, an electron present in the N-side
receives more energy to cross the junction barrier and enters into
the metal. Due to this, the electrons are also called as hot carrier.
Hence, diode is called as hot carrier Diode.
Schottky Diode – Reverse bias
V-I Characteristics of Schottky Diode
Advantages of Schottky diode
1. It possesses high switching speed.
2. Due to high switching speed, its reverse recovery time is very less as
compared to other bipolar diodes.
3. The value of forward voltage in the case of this diode is also minimal
comparatively other bipolar diodes.
Disadvantages of Schottky Diode
4. It possesses a significant value of leakage current.
5. The reverse breakdown voltage of these diodes is very small. Thus, even a
small amount of reverse voltage can damage it.
Applications of Schottky Diode
6. It is used as Schottky TTL in digital devices as these devices need fast
switching.
7. A Schottky diode is the most significant component for digital computers, as
the performance of digital computers is determined by switching speed of
diodes.
Varactor Diode
It is also called voltage-variable capacitor (VVC)  or varicap diode.
Working of Varactor Diode
• When the reverse bias is applied to P-N junction, the width of
depletion layer increases. And with the increase of reverse voltage
gradually the depletion layer increases even more. Thus, the
depletion region creates Transition capacitance CT.
                                              CT =  ɛA/W
• Here, CT  is Transition capacitance, ɛ is dielectric constant, A is the
area of plates of the capacitor and W is the width of the depletion
layer.
Applications of Varactor Diode
1.Television receivers: Varactor diodes are used as tuned capacitors
and have replaced mechanically tuned capacitors in various
applications. It is used in television in the resonant tank circuit.
2.Radio receivers: Radio receivers also use this diode for tuning
purposes.
3.Frequency Multiplier: It is also used as a frequency multiplier in
various electronic circuits.
4.Phase Locked Loops: It is used in Phase locked loop for frequency
modulation. Varactor diodes help in achieving frequency modulation.
Thus, in communication devices varactor diodes are significant.
5.Voltage controlled oscillators: Voltage control oscillators are used
extensively in transmission and receiving circuits in communication.
And varactor diode plays a significant role in construction of voltage
controlled oscillator.
6.Parametric Amplifiers: It is used in parametric amplifier as a
significant component.
Photo Diode
A special type of PN junction device that generates current when
exposed to light is known as Photodiode. It is also known as
photodetector or photosensor.
Operational Modes of Photodiode

Photodiode basically operates in two modes:

• Photovoltaic mode: It is also known as zero-bias mode because

no external reverse potential is provided to the device. However,
the flow of minority carrier will take place when the device is
exposed to light.

• Photoconductive mode: When a certain reverse potential is

applied to the device then it behaves as a photoconductive
device. Here, an increase in depletion width is seen with the
corresponding change in reverse voltage.
VI characteristics of Photo diode
Applications of Photodiode

1.Photodiodes majorly find its use in counters and switching circuits.

2.Photodiodes are extensively used in an optical communication

system.

3.Logic circuits and encoders also make use of photodiode.

4.It is widely used in burglar alarm systems. In such alarm systems,

until exposure to radiation is not interrupted, the current flows. As
the light energy fails to fall on the device, it sounds the alarm.

5.Solar PV cell