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Diodes are the most basic form of rectifier. A single detailed description of an individual diode’s properties and capabilities can be difficult, as the behavior of a diode is dependent on a number of factors such as the type and size of the diode, applied voltage and other external parameters. A more straightforward general description of a diode’s basic characteristics and operation, as well as an in-depth discussion of its application fields and working principle, is what is outlined in this article.

A diode is a two-terminal semiconductor device, composed of a junction of P-type and N-type materials. The most common type of diode, the PN junction, features a P-type material and an N-type material, forming a h-shaped barrier. Diodes are designed to allow current to flow in one direction, blocking it in the other, ultimately limiting the amount of current that is allowed to flow during an electrical event. This behavior gives the diode the nickname of “rectifier”. A diode’s current-blocking behavior can also be transitioned at higher voltages, allowing for functionality as an amplifier, voltage multiplier or voltage regulator.

In a PN junction diode, the current-blocking behavior is explained by the “valence band” argument. At 0V applied voltage, the P-type material is “positively charged”, while the N-type material is “negatively charged”; however, the junction is still considered “neutralized”, meaning that upon the application of an external voltage, no current will flow. As the voltage increases, the “negatively charged” N-type material begins to draw electrons from the P-type material, neutralizing its charge; this charge difference provides a current pathway for current to flow in the direction of the increasing voltage. When the applied voltage is reversed, the process is reversed, allowing current to flow in the opposite direction. The process is known as “valence band modulation”, and is responsible for the behavior of a diode.

This current-blocking behavior of a diode has a wide range of applications, such as bridge-reversing circuits, clampers, voltage rectifiers and voltage multipliers. In a bridge-reversing circuit, a diode is used to block current in one direction while allowing it to flow in the other, allowing the purpose of the circuit to be reversed. Clampers use diodes to limit the allowable current in a circuit; in this application, the diode is used as a “voltage limiter” by clamping the voltage to a given level. In rectifier circuits, diodes are used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC); this application is common in the power industry, where the AC mains supply is “rectified” to obtain a DC voltage that is suitable for powering devices. Finally, voltage multipliers use diodes to increase the magnitude of an injected voltage, enabling the generation of higher voltages from lower ones.

For each of the aforementioned applications, a diode’s working principle is the same; however, different diode types may be required for different applications. In terms of construction, there are four main types of diodes: Point Contact, Junction, Schottky and Zener diodes. Point Contact diodes are the most basic form of diode, and feature two metal contacts that make up its terminals. Junction-type diodes feature a PN junction, allowing them to carry more current than Point Contact diodes.

Schottky diodes are similar to Junction-type diodes, but feature a much shorter electrical path between its terminals, allowing for faster switching and lower forward voltages. Finally, Zener diodes are designed to tolerate higher reverse voltages, making them useful for applications such as voltage regulation and protecting integrated circuits from overvoltage conditions.

In conclusion, this article has outlined the general characteristics of a diode, and discussed various application fields and the working principles behind them. From power rectification to voltage regulation, diodes form the basis of many important circuits in modern technology.

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