Diodes

Semiconductors & doping

PN junctions
Reverse bias - no current
Forward bias
Diode IV curves
Uses of diodes
Calculations with diodes in series
Calculations with diodes in parallel

Diodes - 1

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Semiconductors & doping

Semiconductors have a some conductivity, but
not nearly as good as most metals.
Silicon is primarily used as a semiconductor.
Silicon has four valence electrons. Each silicon
atom is covalently bonded to four others.
Doped silicon has a small (~1 part in a million)
inclusion of other elements with one more or less
electron.
P type material is made with a group III element one less electron.
N type material is made with a group V element one more electron.

Diodes - 2

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PN junctions
Electrons move from
the N side to fill in holes
in the P side

A depletion region is formed as

there is now an overall charge
separation & electric field.

P type

N type

Boron atoms form bonds

with electron holes in
the Si structure.

Diodes - 3

+
+
+
+
+
+

Phosphorous atoms form

bonds with free electrons
in the Si structure.

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Reverse bias - no current

In reverse bias, no current can get through the barrier of the depletion
region (unless breakdown occurs at high voltages).
+

P type

N type

+
+
+
+
+
+
Depletion region is
strengthened & the
electric field acts as a
barrier to current flow.

Diodes - 4

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Forward bias
Once the switch on voltage is achieved, the diode conducts current.
There is a voltage drop as electrons lose energy across the depletion
region.
+

Current
flow

P type

N type

Diodes - 5

+
+
+
+
+
+
Depletion region is
reduced & the diode
allows current through.
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Diode IV curves
Diodes are non-ohmic & have a characteristic voltage current
relationship.
Once the switch on voltage is reached in forward bias, the potential
difference remains fairly constant, even with increasing current.
In reverse bias, no current flows until the breakdown voltage is reached.
Current (mA)

Breakdown voltage: may be

kV.

Potential difference (V)

Switch on voltage ~0.7V for

Si diode.

hp://www.flashscience.com/electricity/diodes.htm
Diodes - 6

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Uses of diodes
Diodes can be used to rectify AC into DC, by blocking the flow of
reverse currents.
Zener diodes are used as voltage regulators, to keep a constant
potential output.
LEDs are light emitting diodes - photons of visible light are created as
the electrons lose energy passing across the PN junction. LEDs are
much more energy efficient than traditional incandescent globes.

hp://www.flashscience.com/electricity/smoothing.htm
Diodes - 7

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Calculations with diodes in series

Assume that the diode is at the switch on voltage eg 0.7V.
The remaining potential difference is across the resistor(s).
9.0 V
+

8.3 V

0.7 V

1000
500
8.3V
8.3V
II ==
==0.0166A
0.0083A
1000
500
Diodes - 8

16.6mA
8.3
mA

16.6mA
8.3
mA

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Calculations with diodes in parallel

A diode in parallel with another component will act as a voltage
regulator, limiting the potential difference across the pair.
8.3 V
9.0V
8.3V
I=
= 0.0166A
0.015A
500
600

500
16.6
15 mAmA

0.7
I=
= 0.007A
100

9.0 V
+

0.7 V

100
0.7 V

Diodes - 9

7.0 mA

9.6 mA

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