Semiconductor Diode

Introduction

In today’s world, from a remote to a space vehicle, every machine depends on the microprocessor, which is composed of Semiconductor material. In short, we are fully surrounded by Semiconductor devices, and we cannot expect technologies without Semiconductor material. Semiconductor Diode is one of the important topics from the examination point. Here we will study a brief about the Semiconductor diode, its application, compositions, and properties. 

What is the Semiconductor diode?

A semiconductor diode is a device that has restricted conducting abilities. It is neither a conductor nor an insulator. It is a type of diode developed by semiconductor material. Materials like silicon are mainly used to develop this diode. Diode mainly works as a door. It allows electricity to pass through it. However, electricity can pass through it in one way. 

Nowadays, diodes are built with the help of semiconductor material. Diode mainly consists of two-point those points are as follows:

1. Anode (+)
2. Cathode (-)

A diode is mainly used in electrical circuits for controlling electrical energy. Semiconductor allows to pass electricity through and makes a proper path to flow electricity in the circuit.

Semiconductor diodes and P-N Junction  

Semiconductor diodes mainly consist of dope semiconductor crystals, P-type and N-type. They are also called the p-n junction. The N layer acts as an electron donor dopant. It contains excessive electrons and the majority negative carrier. However, the P-layer acts like an electron acceptor donor and its majority carriers are electron holes (+).  

In reality, there are no holes. However, the lack of electrons in the P-layer makes it charge. It helps to attract negative electrons to form a pair again. After this fusion occurs, then proportional distribution between these electrons begins. After this process, this electron flows from the (P) cathode to the (N) anode.  

Semiconductor diode and its importance

Nowadays, semiconductor diodes play a key role in the world of electronics. Without the semiconductor, the processor of the phone or the computer will not be built. Semiconductor diodes are also known as crystal detectors. One of the most common semiconductor diodes is the p-n junction diode. These diodes are mainly built using silicon and germanium material so that electricity can easily pass through them. 

Doping of Silicon in Semiconductor Diode

Silicon has good conductivity, but if you want to improve the conductivity, you need to add other elements that will help the diode improve its own conductivity. Now, it depends on what type of diode you want to build. It will simply depend on what type of material you want to add. 

It can be positive (+), which is denoted by P-type material, or you can add negative (-) N-type material with silicon. To create a diode, you need to put two types of material in it. P-type can be called the anode part, and N-type can be called the cathode part of the diode.

What is a diode?

Diodes are used to protect an electrical circuit from any transient voltage and current. There are various types of diodes. Those diodes have different applications. 

Diode and its types

A few basic types of diodes are now available in the electronics world. Those basic diodes are as follows:

• P-N junction Diode. This diode is also known as rectification diodes. P-N junction diodes are mainly used in the rectification process and are made with the semiconductor.
• Light Emitting Diode (LED) In simple words, light is generated through this diode.
• Laser diodes produce coherent light, its main uses in CD players.
• Avalanche Diode This diode protects the circuit from any breakdown avalanche.
• Zener Diode This diode can provide stable voltage.
• Schottky Diode. This diode’s lower forward voltage drop can be noticed where low currents are there; this diode is mainly used in rectifiers.
• Photodiode. This diode can easily identify the small amount of current flow and produce light. These types of diodes are mainly used in solar cells.

Basic applications of Semiconductor Diode

Diodes are used in various electronic appliances. The following are the applications of semiconductor diode:-

• Diodes work as a rectifier
• Diodes are used in a clipping circuit.
• You can find diodes in a camping circuit.
• Diodes can be found in logical gates.
• Diodes work like a protection purpose in various electrical appliances.

Thermionic semiconductor diode

In earlier days, thermionic semiconductor diodes were called vacuum tubes. Vacuum tubes are mainly used in glass tubes. The purpose of developing this glass tube is to develop a vacuum inside the glass tube surrounding a tinny wire. A vacuum is created surrounding the wire, which charges the cathode to release electrons through it. Then anode in the positive part attracts electrons. That means current flows through one direction. You can find thermionic semiconductor diodes commonly used in various electrical appliances. 

Forward biased Diode

In forward biased diodes, you will find a small voltage drop in the diode, and the current will be conducting. For the diodes built with silicon, its forward voltage will be 690mV. For germanium build diodes, the forward voltage will be 300mV. The potential energy across the P-type conductor is positive, and the potential energy across the N-type conductor will be negative.

P-N junction diode under reverse bias

P-N junction diode under reverse bias is when the power inside a battery completely drains. For silicon-built diodes, reverse voltage will be around -20μA, and for the germanium-made diode, the reverse voltage will be around -50μA. The potential energy across the p-type terminal is negative, and potential energy on the n-type terminal will be positive.

Zero biased Diode

When the voltage potential across the diode becomes zero, it becomes Zero biased Diode.

Conclusion 

Semiconductors play a significant role in our daily life. Semiconductor material has conductivity less than conductor but higher than insulator. Using semiconductors we can form various types of diodes such as PN junction diode, zener diode, light emitting diode (LED), photodiode etc.