Free Expert Guides on Power Systems, Circuit Design & Electrical Troubleshooting

What are Power Diodes?Power Diode A power diode is defined as a diode used in power electronics circuits, capable of handling higher currents than regular diodes. It has two terminals and conducts current in one direction, with a construction designed for higher power applications.To understand power diodes better, let’s revisit how a standard diode works. A diode is defined as the simplest semiconductor device, with two layers, two terminals, and one junction.Ordinary signal diodes have a junct

What is a Varactor Diode?Varactor Diode A varactor diode is defined as a reverse-biased p-n junction diode whose capacitance can be varied electrically. These diodes are also known as varicaps, tuning diodes, voltage variable capacitor diodes, parametric diodes, and variable capacitor diodes.The operation of the p-n junction depends on the type of bias applied, either forward or reverse. In forward bias, the width of the depletion region decreases as the voltage increases.On the other hand, the

What is a Gunn Diode?Gunn Diode DefinitionA Gunn diode is a passive semiconductor device with two terminals, which composes of only an n-doped semiconductor material, unlike other diodes which consist of a p-n junction. Gunn diodes can be made from the materials which consist of multiple, initially-empty, closely-spaced energy valleys in their conduction band like Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Indium Phosphide (InP), Gallium Nitride (GaN), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Cadmium Sulfide (CdS), Indium Arsen

Avalanche Diode DefinitionAn avalanche diode is a type of semiconductor diode which is designed to experience avalanche breakdown at a specified reverse bias voltage. The pn junction of an avalanche diode is designed to prevent current concentration and resulting hot spots so that the diode is undamaged by the avalanche breakdown.The avalanche breakdown that occurs is due to minority carriers accelerated enough to create ionization in the crystal lattice, producing more carriers which in turn cr

What is Diode Test ?Diode DefinitionA diode is defined as a semiconductor device that allows electric current to flow in one direction only.Diode Test ModeThis mode on digital multimeters applies a small voltage to a diode and measures the voltage drop, indicating the diode’s condition.To test a diode with diode test mode Turn off the power source of the circuit that contains the diode. If possible, remove the diode from the circuit for more accurate results. Set the multimeter to diode test mod

What is a Vacuum Diode ?Vacuum Diode DefinitionA vacuum diode is a type of electronic device that controls the flow of electric current in a high vacuum between two electrodes: a cathode and an anode. The cathode is a metal cylinder coated with a material that emits electrons when heated, while the anode is a hollow metal cylinder that collects electrons from the cathode. The vacuum diode symbol is shown below.The vacuum diode was invented by Sir John Ambrose Fleming in 1904 and was also known a

What is a Laser Diode?Laser Diode DefinitionA laser diode is defined as a diode that can generate laser light when electrically pumped with current. It consists of a p-n junction with an additional intrinsic layer in between, forming a p-i-n structure. The intrinsic layer is the active region where the light is generated by the recombination of electrons and holes.The p-type and n-type regions are heavily doped with impurities to create excess carriers, while the intrinsic layer is undoped or li

What is a Photodiode?Photodiode DefinitionA photodiode is defined as a PN junction diode that generates current when exposed to light. This junction is formed by combining P-type and N-type semiconductor materials. P-type material has extra positive charge carriers (holes), while N-type material has extra negative charge carriers (electrons). When these materials meet, electrons from the N-type region move into the P-type region, recombining with holes and creating a depletion region. This regio

What is an Ultrafast Recovery Diode?Ultrafast Recovery Diode definitionA semiconductor diode with good switching characteristics and ultra-short reverse recovery time is commonly used as a continuous current, absorption, clamping, isolation, output and input rectifier for the switching device of a high-frequency inverter, so that the function of the switching device can be fully brought into play. Ultrafast recovery diode is an important and indispensable device for the development of high-frequ

What is a Schottky Diode?Schottky Diode definitionThe reverse recovery time is extremely short (can be as small as a few nanoseconds), the positive pilot voltage drop is only about 0.4V, and the rectification current can reach thousands of amps, which can be used as a switching diode and a low-voltage high-current rectifier diode.Schottky Diode structureIt is formed by connecting doped semiconductor regions (usually N-type) with metals such as gold, platinum, titanium, etc. The formation is not