What is Semiconductor Diode?
Lesson 2
By:
Engr. Verna C. Magnaye, EcE
Overview:
Semiconductor diodes are electronic devices which are
created from semiconductor elements. The P-type materials
and N-type materials are combined to form diode, and the
junction between these two regions is called PN junction. At
thermal equilibrium, depletion region is formed, and this is
corresponding to a voltage equivalent that must be overcome
during biasing for the device to be considered as forward
biased. When used in a circuit, the necessary bias voltage
must be considered for the diode to work properly.
Objectives:
After successfully completing this lesson, you should be able to:
Describe Semiconductor Diodes.
Differentiate ideal diode from practical diodes.
Learn how to bias a diode.
Determine the diode equivalent circuits.
Learn how the diodes operate or function in a circuit.
Analyze the equivalent AND/OR logic gates.
Semiconductor Diode
Semiconductor diode is a solid-
state device simply created by
joining an n-type and p-type
materials together.
No Applied Bias ( V = 0 V)
At the instant the two materials were joined together, the electrons
and the holes in the region of the junction will combine, resulting
in a lack of free carriers in the area near the junction, hence
equilibrium takes place forming a depletion region.
Reverse-Bias Condition (V<0V)
The current that exists under reverse-bias conditions is
called the reverse saturation current and is represented by
Is .
Forward-Bias Condition (VD>0V)
A forward-bias or “on” condition is established by applying
the positive potential to the p -type material and the
negative potential to the n -type material.
Shockley’s equation
The diode current ID is the forward diode current.
Breakdown Region
The maximum
reverse-bias potential
that can be applied
before entering the
breakdown region is
called the peak
inverse voltage
(referred to simply as
the PIV rating) or the
peak reverse voltage
(denoted the PRV
rating).
Comparison of Commercial Diodes
Commercial Use of Ge, Si, and GaAs
Ideal Diode
Ideal versus actual semiconductor
characteristics.
The characteristics have been superimposed to compare the ideal Si
diode to a real-world Si diode.
Ideally, if the semiconductor diode is to behave like a closed switch in the
forward-bias region, the resistance of the diode should be 0 . In the
reverse-bias region its resistance should be to represent the open-circuit
equivalent.
Diode equivalent circuits
An equivalent circuit is a combination of elements properly
chosen to best represent the actual terminal characteristics of a
device or system in a particular operating region.
Load-line analysis
The load line is determined solely by the applied network, whereas the
characteristics are defined by the chosen device.
Series Diode Configurations
A diode is in the “on” state if the current established by the applied
sources is such that its direction matches that of the arrow in the
diode symbol, and VD = 0.7 V for silicon, VD = 0.3 V for germanium,
and VD = 1.2 V for gallium arsenide.
OR Gate
AND Gate
Read:
What is semiconductor Diode?
Chapter 1
Boylestad, R. L. & Nashelsky, L. (2013). Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory. First Lok
Yang Road, Jurong, Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd.
What is semiconductor Diode?
Chapter 1
Floyd, T. L. (2007). Electronic Devices (Conventional Current Version). First Lok Yang Road,
Jurong, Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd.
Diodes in a circuit.
Chapter 2
Boylestad, R. L. & Nashelsky, L. (2013). Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory. First Lok
Yang Road, Jurong, Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd.
Diodes in a circuit.
Chapter 1
Floyd, T. L. (2007). Electronic Devices (Conventional Current Version). First Lok Yang Road,
Jurong, Singapore: Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd.
Activities/Assessments:
1. Describe semiconductor diode.
2. Differentiate ideal diode from silicon crystal diode by
showing their characteristic curves.
3. Show the connections of the diode to the DC bias during
a)Forward bias and b)Reverse bias.
4. Show the schematic symbol of a)ideal diode b)silicon
crystal diode, and c)germanium crystal diode, and their
corresponding equivalent circuits.
5. Do exercises #5,6,7,8,9,10,11,&15 on pages 121 to 123
of Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory by Boylestad and
Nashelsky. 11th edition.
