P-N junction
semiconductor diode
What is p-n junction semiconductor diode?
A p-n junction diode is two-terminal or two-electrode semiconductor device, which
allows the electric current in only one direction while blocks the electric current in
opposite or reverse direction. If the diode is forward biased, it allows the electric
current flow. On the other hand, if the diode is reverse biased, it blocks the electric
current flow. P-N junction semiconductor diode is also called as p-n junction
semiconductor device.
In n-type semiconductors, free electrons are the majority charge carriers whereas
in p-type semiconductors, holes are the majority charge carriers. When the n-type
semiconductor is joined with the p-type semiconductor, a p-n junction is formed.
The p-n junction, which is formed when the p-type and n-type semiconductors are
joined, is called as p-n junction diode.
The p-n junction diode is made from the semiconductor materials such as silicon,
germanium, and gallium arsenide. For designing the diodes, silicon is more
preferred over germanium. The p-n junction diodes made from silicon
semiconductors works at higher temperature when compared with the p-n junction
diodes made from germanium semiconductors.
The basic symbol of p-n junction diode under forward bias and reverse bias is
shown in the below figure
In the above figure, arrowhead of a diode indicates the conventional direction of
electric current when the diode is forward biased (from positive terminal to the
negative terminal). The holes which moves from positive terminal (anode) to the
negative terminal (cathode) is the conventional direction of current.
The free electrons moving from negative terminal (cathode) to the positive
terminal (anode) actually carry the electric current. However, due to the convention
we have to assume that the current direction is from positive terminal to the
negative terminal.
Biasing of p-n junction semiconductor diode
The process of applying the external voltage to a p-n junction semiconductor diode
is called biasing. External voltage to the p-n junction diode is applied in any of the
two methods: forward biasing or reverse biasing.
If the p-n junction diode is forward biased, it allows the electric current flow.
Under forward biased condition, the p-type semiconductor is connected to the
positive terminal of battery whereas; the n-type semiconductor is connected to the
negative terminal of battery.
If the p-n junction diode is reverse biased, it blocks the electric current flow. Under
reverse biased condition, the p-type semiconductor is connected to the negative
terminal of battery whereas; the n-type semiconductor is connected to the positive
terminal of battery.
Terminals of pn junction diode
Generally, terminal refers to a point or place at which any object begins or ends.
For example, bus terminal or terminus is a place at which all the buses begins or
ends. Similarly, in a p-n junction diode, terminal refers a point at which charge
carriers begins or ends.
P-n junction diode consists of two terminals: positive and negative. At positive
terminal, all the free electrons will ends and all the holes will begins whereas at
negative terminal all the free electrons will begins and all the holes will ends.
Terminals of diode under forward bias
In forward biased p-n junction diode (p-type connected to positive terminal and n-
type connected to negative terminal), anode terminal is a positive terminal whereas
cathode terminal is negative terminal.
Anode terminal is a positively charged electrode or conductor, which supplies
holes to the p-n junction. In other words, anode or anode terminal or positive
terminal is the source of positive charge carriers (holes), the positive charge
carriers (holes) begins their journey at anode terminal and travel through the diode
and ends at cathode terminal.
Cathode is the negatively charged electrode or conductor, which supplies free
electrons to the p-n junction. In other words, cathode terminal or negative terminal
is the source of free electrons, the negative charge carriers (free electrons) begins
their journey at cathode terminal and travel through the diode and ends at anode
terminal.
The free electrons are attracted towards the anode terminal or positive terminal
whereas the holes are attracted towards the cathode terminal or negative terminal.
Terminals of diode under reverse bias
If the diode is reverse biased (p-type connected to negative terminal and n-type
connected to positive terminal), the anode terminal becomes a negative terminal
whereas the cathode terminal becomes a positive terminal.
Anode terminal or negative terminal supplies free electrons to the p-n junction. In
other words, anode terminal is the source of free electrons, the free electrons
begins their journey at negative or anode terminal and fills the large number of
holes in the p-type semiconductor. The holes in the p-type semiconductor get
attracted towards the negative terminal. The free electrons from the negative
terminal cannot move towards the positive terminal because the wide depletion
region at the p-n junction resists or opposes the flow of free electrons.
Cathode terminal or positive terminal supplies holes to the p-n junction. In other
words, cathode terminal is the source of holes, the holes begins their journey at
positive or cathode terminal and occupies the electrons position in the n-type
semiconductor. The free electrons in the n-type semiconductor gets attracted
towards the positive terminal. The holes from the positive terminal cannot move
towards the negative terminal because the wide depletion region at the p-n junction
opposes the flow of holes.
Silicon and germanium semiconductor diode
For designing the diodes, silicon is more preferred over germanium.
The p-n junction diodes made from silicon semiconductors works at high
temperature than the germanium semiconductor diodes.
Forward bias voltage for silicon semiconductor diode is approximately 0.7
volts whereas for germanium semiconductor diode is approximately 0.3
volts.
Silicon semiconductor diodes do not allow the electric current flow, if the
voltage applied on the silicon diode is less than 0.7 volts.
Silicon semiconductor diodes start allowing the current flow, if the voltage
applied on the diode reaches 0.7 volts.
Germanium semiconductor diodes do not allow the electric current flow, if
the voltage applied on the germanium diode is less than 0.3 volts.
Germanium semiconductor diodes start allowing the current flow, if the
voltage applied on the germanium diode reaches 0.3 volts.
The cost of silicon semiconductors is low when compared with the
germanium semiconductors.
Advantages of p-n junction diode
P-n junction diode is the simplest form of all the semiconductor devices. However,
diodes plays a major role in many electronic devices.
A p-n junction diode can be used to convert the alternating current (AC) to
the direct current (DC). These diodes are used in power supply devices.
If the diode is forward biased, it allows the current flow. On the other hand,
if it is reverse biased, it blocks the current flow. In other words, the p-n
junction diode becomes on when it is forward biased whereas the p-n
junction diode becomes off when it is reversed biased (I.e. it acts as switch).
Thus, the p-n junction diode is used as electronic switch in digital logic
circuits.
Types of Diodes
The various types of diodes are as follows:
1. Zener diode
2. Avalanche diode
3. Photodiode
4. Light Emitting Diode
5. Laser diode
6. Tunnel diode
7. Schottky diode
8. Varactor diode
9. P-N junction diode
Half-wave Rectifier
In this type of rectifier, when AC supply is applied at the input, only
positive half cycle become visible across the load while the negative
half cycle is covered up. In a single phase supply, it needs a single
diode while in a three-phase supply it needs three diodes. It is not
capable because only half of the i/p waveforms reach the output. To
reduce the ripples of the AC frequency from the o/p, more filtering is
required in half wave rectifier circuit. Please refer the link to know
more about Half wave Rectifier Circuit Working Principle and
Characteristics
Full Wave Rectifier
In this type of rectifier, during both the half cycles when AC supply is
applied to the i/p, the flow of current through the load flows in the
same direction. This circuit yields a higher standard output voltage by
altering both polarities of the i/p waveform to pulsating DC. This sort of
rectification can be achieved by using at slightest two crystal diodes,
conducting current differently. During positive as well as the negative
half-cycle of the input AC, the following two circuits that is the center
tap full wave rectifier and full wave bridge rectifier is used to get the same
direction of current flow in the load resistor.Please refer the link to
know more about Full-wave Rectifier Circuit with Working Theory
Center Tap Full-wave Rectifier
This type of rectifier circuit uses a transformer with secondary winding
tapped at the center point. Two diodes are connected in the circuit so
that each one of them uses one-half cycle of the input AC voltage. For
rectification, one diode uses the ac voltage showing the upper half of
secondary winding while other diode uses the lower half of the
secondary winding. The o/p and efficiency of this circuit are high
because AC supply brings power throughout both the halves.
Full Wave Bridge Rectifier
Bridge rectifier circuit is one of the capable forms of full wave rectifier
that uses four diodes in a bridge topology. In place of center tap
transformer, a normal transformer is used. The AC supply to be
rectified is applied to the diagonally differing ends of the bridge and
the load resistor is connected across the residual two diagonally
differing ends of the bridge.
Comparison of Rectifiers
The comparisons between different types of rectifiers on the various
points are tabulated below.
Full wave center Full wave bridge
Properties Half wave rectifier tap rectifier rectifier
Number of Diodes 1 2 4
D.C Current Im / π 2 Im / π 2 Im / π
Transformer
Necessary No Yes No
Max Value of Current Vm / (rf + RL) Vm / (rf + RL) Vm / (2rf + RL)
Ripple Factor 1.21 0.482 0.482
O/p Frequency fin 2 fin 2 fin
Max Efficiency 40.6% 81.2% 81.2%
Peak Inverse Voltage Vm 2 Vm 2 Vm
These are the few types of rectifiers used commonly for
numerous applications including all electronic and electrical projects. We
hope that readers might have got a superior answer to the question
what is the function of a rectifier. Any further questions regarding this
concept or practical guidance of building electronic projects you can
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