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Junction Diodes and
Their Applications
DR. GUECHI Nassima

01
Introduction
Introduction
The diode is the most used semiconductor device in electronics circuits. It is a two-
terminal electrical check valve that allows the flow of current in one direction.
They are mostly made up of silicon but germanium is also used. Usually, they are
used for rectification. But there are different properties & characteristics of diodes
which can be used for different application. These characteristics are modified to
form different types of diodes. Nowadays, several different types of diodes having
different properties are available.

02
Semiconductor
What Are Semiconductor?
● A material with the electrical characteristics of an insulator, but
has a small chance of allowing electrons to flow and contribute to
an electric current.
● In other words, the electrical conductivity of a semiconductor is
intermediate between that of metals and insulators.
● The electrical behavior of semiconductors is explained by band
theory, which states that semiconductors have a small bandgap
that allows electrons to move from the valence band to the
conduction band. When an electric potential is applied, a small
current flows, caused by the movement of both electrons and
holes. Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor due to its
good properties and natural abundance, although other
semiconductors like germanium, gallium arsenide, and silicon
carbide are also used.
03
Types of
Semiconductor
Semiconductors are divided into two categories: intrinsic semiconductors and
extrinsic semiconductors.
an Intrinsic Semiconductor Extrinsic Semiconductor
is a pure semiconductor without any is a semiconductor material that has

impurities. Its electrical properties are been doped with impurities to increase
determined by the material itself, such its electrical conductivity. These
as temperature. At low temperatures, it impurities introduce extra charge
behaves like an insulator, but as the carriers (electrons or holes) into the
temperature increases, some electrons material, enhancing its ability to
gain enough energy to move from the conduct electricity. There are two types
valence band to the conduction band, of extrinsic semiconductors: n-type
creating charge carriers (electrons and (with extra electrons) and p-type (with
holes). extra holes).
types of extrinsic semiconductors
Extrinsic semiconductors are semiconductors that are doped with specific impurities. The impurity modifies
the electrical properties of the semiconductor and makes it more suitable for electronic devices such as diodes
N-type Semiconductor: P-type Semiconductor:

Doped with impurities that provide extra Doped with impurities that create "holes" or
electrons, typically from elements with five positive charge carriers, typically from elements
valence electrons (e.g., phosphorus or arsenic). with three valence electrons (e.g., boron or
These extra electrons increase the material's gallium). These holes allow electrical current to
electrical conductivity by contributing flow as electrons from the valence band move to
negatively charged carriers (electrons) to the fill the holes, effectively creating a positive charge
conduction band. flow.
p-n junction
A p-n junction is the boundary formed between two types
of semiconductor materials: p-type (positive) and n-type
(negative). When these two materials are joined, an
electric field is created at the junction, known as the
depletion region, where electrons from the n-type
region combine with holes from the p-type region.
This junction has unique electrical properties:
Forward Bias: When a positive voltage is applied to the p-
type side and a negative voltage to the n-type side, the
junction allows current to flow easily.
Reverse Bias: When the voltage is reversed, the junction
blocks current, making it act as an insulator.
The p-n junction is the core of many semiconductor devices,
such as diodes, transistors, and solar cells.
04
The Junction Diode

Constitution
The junction diode is made by a PN junction. It is the basic component of
semiconductor devices and is formed by creating a simple PN junction. Figure
illustrates the semiconductor structure of a diode and its symbol in electronic circuits.
Characteristics of a Diode
The characteristic of a diode refers to the relationship between the voltage applied across it and the
current flowing through it. This is typically represented by a current-voltage (I-V) curve, which shows the
diode's behavior under different conditions:
Forward Bias: Reverse Bias: Threshold Voltage: Reverse Leakage

•When a positive •When the polarity is •This is the minimum Current:
voltage is applied to reversed (positive voltage voltage required to turn •A small amount of
the p-type side and a applied to the n-type side), the diode "on" in the current flows even in
negative voltage to the the diode does not conduct forward bias condition. reverse bias, which is
n-type side, the diode current, except for a very For a silicon diode, it is called the leakage
conducts electricity. small leakage current. typically around 0.7V, current. This current is
•Initially, in small •If the reverse voltage and for a germanium negligible under normal
voltage ranges, the exceeds a critical value diode, around 0.3V. operating conditions but
current remains very (known as the reverse increases significantly if
low. Once the forward breakdown voltage), the the reverse voltage
voltage exceeds a diode may undergo reverse exceeds the breakdown
threshold (typically breakdown, allowing voltage.
around 0.7V for silicon current to flow in the reverse
diodes), the current direction and potentially
increases sharply. damaging the diode.
Diode Resistance
Resistance opposes the flow of current through a device. Diode resistance is
the effective opposition a diode offers to current flow. Ideally, a diode offers
zero resistance when forward biased and infinite resistance when reverse
biased. However, no device is perfect. Practically, every diode has small
resistance when forward biased and significant resistance when reverse biased.
We can characterize a diode by its forward and reverse resistances.
Forward Resistance
Static or DC Resistance
Even with forward biasing, a diode won’t
It is the resistance offered by the diode to the flow of
conduct until it reaches a minimum threshold DC through it when we apply a DC voltage to it.
Mathematically the static resistance is expressed as the
voltage. Once the applied voltage exceeds
ratio of DC voltage applied across the diode terminals
this threshold, the diode starts to conduct. to the DC flowing through it
The resistance offered by the diode in this
condition is called forward resistance. In other
words, forward resistance is the resistance a Dynamic or AC Resistance
Dynamic resistance is the resistance a diode offers to
diode shows when it is forward biased. AC current when connected to a circuit with an AC
Forward resistance is classified into two types , voltage source. It is calculated as the ratio of the change
in voltage across the diode to the change in current
static or dynamic depending on whether the through it.
current flowing through the device is DC
(Direct Current) or AC (Alternating Current),
respectively.
Reverse Resistance
When we connect the diode in reverse Due to this current flow, the diode
biased condition, there will be a small exhibits reverse resistance
current flowing through it which is called characteristic. The mathematical
the reverse leakage current. We can expression for the same is similar
attribute the cause behind this to the fact to that for the forward resistance
that when the diode functions in its and is given by
reverse mode, it will not be completely
free of charge carriers. That is, even in this
Where, Vr and Ir are the reverse
state, one can experience the flow of
voltage and the reverse current
minority carriers through the device.
respectively.
Zener Diode
A Zener diode is a type of semiconductor diode that allows current to flow in the
reverse direction when the applied voltage reaches or exceeds its Zener
breakdown voltage. Unlike regular diodes, which block reverse current, Zener
diodes are designed to operate reliably in this breakdown region without
damage, making them ideal for voltage regulation, overvoltage protection, and
reference voltage generation in electronic circuits.
Principle of Voltage Regulation Using
a Zener Diode
Some Special Diodes

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Junction Diodes and

DR. GUECHI Nassima

different properties are available.

an Intrinsic Semiconductor Extrinsic Semiconductor

is a pure semiconductor without any is a semiconductor material that has

N-type Semiconductor: P-type Semiconductor:

The Junction Diode

Forward Bias: Reverse Bias: Threshold Voltage: Reverse Leakage

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