Types of diodes: Zener Diode

The zener diode is designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region.

Cathode (K) Ideally, the reverse IF

breakdown has a
Types of diodes constant breakdown
voltage. This makes Breakdown
VZ
it useful as a VR VF

Anode (A) voltage reference,

Reverse-
which is its primary breakdown
Symbol region
application.
IR
Characteristic curve

Types of diodes: Zener Diode Types of diodes: Zener Diode

The Zener Diode The Zener Diode

+

The zener impedance, ZZ, is the ratio of a ZZ The temperature coefficient of a zener diode can be
specified as the percent change in zener voltage for each
change in voltage in the breakdown region to +
VZ
– degree Celsius change in temperature:
the corresponding change in current: –
 V 
VZ TC   Z  T
ZZ   VZ 
I Z where TC has units of %/oC.
Practical model
Alternatively, it can be specified in terms of change in
What is the zener impedance if the zener diode voltage changes from
4.79 V to 4.94 V when the current changes from 5.00 mA to 10.0 mA? voltage per degree Celsius change in temperature.
 VZ
VZ 0.15 V TC 
ZZ    30 W T
I Z 5.0 mA
where TC has units of mV/oC.
3 4
Types of diodes: Zener Diode Types of diodes: Zener Diode

The Zener Diode Zener Diode Applications

The temperature coefficient can be positive or negative, In low current applications, a zener diode can be used as a
depending on the zener voltage. Above 5.6 V, zeners basic regulator.
generally have a positive temperature coefficient; below R

about 5.6 V, they have a negative temperature coefficient. A 1N756 (8.2 V at 25o C) is used as an 1.0 kW
8.2 V regulator in the circuit shown. + 1N756
VIN 8.2 V
What is the smallest load resistor that 18 V –
RL

A 1N756 is an 8.2 V zener diode (8.2 V at 25o C) with a positive can be used before losing regulation?
temperature coefficient of 5.4 mV/oC. What is the output voltage if Assume an ideal zener diode model.
the temperature rises to 50o C?
VIN  VZ 18 V  8.2 V
VZ  TC  T   5.4 mV   25o C   189 mV The no load zener current is I NL    9.8 mA
R 1.0 kW
VZ = 8.2 V + 0.189 V = 8.389 V 8.2 V
This is the maximum load current in regulation. Therefore, RL   837 W
9.8 mA
5

Types of diodes: Zener Diode Types of diodes: Zener Diode

Zener Diode Applications Zener Diode Applications

Zeners are used in three-terminal regulators to establish a Zeners can also be used as limiters. The back-to-back zeners
reference voltage. These circuits are capable of much larger in this circuit limit the output to the breakdown voltage plus
load currents than basic zener regulators. one diode drop.
R
Control
VIN VOUT +VZ1 + 0.7 V
element
D1
What are the maximum Vin
D2 0

Ref Error Feedback

positive and negative –VZ1 – 0.7 V
amplifier element voltages if the zener
Voltage
VIN
regulator
VOUT breakdown voltage is 5.6 V?
± 6.3 V
Reference ground
 Questions Questions

1. The load current for the circuit shown is 2. If each of the zener diodes have a zener voltage of 5.0 V,
the positive output will be limited to
a. 3.0 mA R
a. +4.3 V
b. 6.0 mA 1.0 kW R
+ 1N5233B RL
VIN 6.0 V
1.0 kW b. +5.0 V D1
c. 7.5 mA 15 V –
Vin
D2
c. +5.7 V
d. 9.0 mA
d. +10 V

Types of diodes: Optical Diodes Types of diodes: Optical Diodes

LED Diode LED Diodes

Diodes can be made to emit light (electroluminescence) or LEDs emit a specific range 1.0

sense light. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) vary widely in of wavelengths which 0.9

Light output (normalized)

0.8

size and brightness – from small indicating lights and depend on the construction 0.7
0.6
displays to high-intensity LEDs that are used in traffic and dye material used. The 0.5
0.4
signals, outdoor signs, and general illumination. wavelength is given on the 0.3
0.2
LEDs are very efficient light emitters, specification sheet. LEDs 0.1
0
and extremely reliable, so even wider are available for visible 420 460 500 540 580 620
λ, wavelength (nm)
660 700 740

use of LEDs can be expected in the light and infrared.

future. Even automobile headlamps
may use LEDs in the future.
What is the peak wavelength of a green LED? 540 nm
Types of diodes: Optical Diodes Types of diodes: Optical Diodes

LED Diodes LED Diodes

The forward voltage drop can vary from about 1.5 V to over Other specifications, such as maximum power dissipation are
3 V depending on the type of diode, its color, and the given on the manufacturer’s specification sheet. To determine
amount of forward current. You need to take into account the the power dissipated by the LED, multiply the forward
specified maximum current allowed and the diode’s forward voltage by the forward current.
drop when choosing a limiting resistor.
A certain bright red LED drops 2.2 V at 20 mA. What power is dissipated
A certain bright red LED drops 2.2 V at a maximum current of 20 mA.
by the LED?
What series resistor is required to limit the current to 20 mA from a 5.0 V
source?

Vs  VLED 5.0 V  2.2 V P  IV   20 mA  2.2 V   44 mW

R   180 W
I 20 mA

Types of diodes: Optical Diodes Types of diodes: Optical Diodes

K

Photo Diodes Laser Diodes

A

A photodiode is a special light A laser diode converts an electrical signal into coherent
sensitive diode with a clear (monochromatic) light. It produces an intense narrow beam
Reverse current, (I l)

window to the pn junction. It is of light from the recombination of electrons and holes in the
operated with reverse bias. depletion region. Anode
Partially +
Reverse current increases with The process is similar to the Highly
reflective
reflective
end

greater incident light. Dark current process that occurs in an LED, but end
Depletion
region
0 Irradiance, H a laser diode differs because the p
pn junction
light emission is stimulated by a n

The tiny current that is present when the diode is not nearby photon to produce light
that is “in-step” and occurs within
exposed to light is called dark current. an optical cavity. –
Cathode
Types of diodes: Optical Diodes Types of diodes: Varactor Diode

Laser Diodes Varactor Diodes

Laser diodes are the most common form of lasers made. A varactor diode is a special purpose diode operated in
They are used in applications such as bar code readers, fiber reverse-bias to form a voltage-controlled capacitor. The
optic transmitters, CD readers, laser pointers, and width of the depletion region increases with reverse-bias.
instruments such
as rangefinders. If the depletion widens, does
the capacitance increase or p n
decrease?
A
Hint: C  Plate Plate
d Dielectric
Notice that as the effective – VBIAS +

plate separation widens, the

capacitance will decrease.

Types of diodes: Varactor Diode Types of diodes: Varactor Diode

Varactor Diodes Varactor Diodes

Capacitance tolerance range are the range of values of
capacitance for a given varactor. The data sheet will show The capacitance ratio is the ratio of the diode’s capacitance
the minimum nominal and maximum values, which are at the minimum reverse voltage (largest C) to the diode’s
often plotted on a graph. capacitance at the maximum reverse voltage (smallest C).
100
70 TA = 25°C
50 f = 1 MHz
For example, you can
C T, diode capacitance (pF)

30 Maximum Ratings (TC = 25°C unless otherwise noted)

use this graph to read Data sheets also include Rating Symbol Value Unit
Reverse voltage VR 60 Volts
the capacitance as a 10 parameters such as maximum Forward current IF 250 mA
RF power input* Pin 5.0 Watts
function of reverse 7
5 ratings for current, power Device dissipation @ TA = 25°C PD 400 mW
Derate above 25°C 2.67 mW/° C
voltage for various 3 1N5148 and temperature. Device dissipation @ TC = 25°C PC 2.0 Watts
Derate above 25°C 13.3 mW/° C
diodes. 1N5144
Junction temperature TJ +175 °C
1N5139
Storage temperature range T stg –65 to +200 °C
1 *The RF power input rating assumes that an adequate heat sink is provided
1.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 10 30 50 60
VR , reverse voltage (V)
 Types of diodes: Varactor Diode Types of diodes: Schottky diode
• It is formed by joining a heavily doped n-material with metal such as
gold, silver, or platinum.
Varactor Diodes
• Used primarily in high frequency and fast switching applications.
Varactor diodes are used in tuning applications. The applied
voltage controls the capacitance and hence the resonant • It has a low forward voltage drop and high efficiency but rather low
frequency. reverse voltage rating
+
VBIAS
By varying R2, the –
R2
K metal silicon
reverse bias on D is R3 junction
R1 C1 C2
changed. This changes Vin Vout
the capacitance, and n region metal region
hence the resonant
L D
frequency. N A
A cathode anode
Schematic Symbol Basic Internal
Construction
22

Types of diodes: PIN diode Types of diode: Current regulator diodes

• Consist of heavily doped p and n regions separated by an intrinsic region. • The current regulator diode is often referred to as constant-current
• when reverse-biased, the pin diode acts like a nearly constant capacitance.
diode when operated within a specific region.
• When forward-biased, it acts like a current-controlled variable resistance.
• It is never operated with reverse bias

intrinsic • The constant current region is the horizontal portion of the

region
characteristic curve. 5.0
ZK @ VK IP & ZT @ VT
4.0
p region n region 3.0

ID , diode current (mA)

2.0
anode cathode 1.0
VL @ IL POV

p i n 0
Anode Cathode –20
–40
–60
–80
–100
–2 –1 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
VAK , anode-cathode voltage (V)
+ - Schematic Symbol

Reverse Biased Forward Biased

23 24
 Types of diodes: Tunnel diode Types of diodes: Tunnel diode
• Constructed with germanium or gallium arsenide by doping the p and
n regions much more heavily than in a conventional rectifier diode.
Tunnel Diodes
• The tunnel diode exhibits a special characteristics known as negative
A tunnel diode has a characteristic curve that shows a
resistance. negative resistance reading between B and C with a small
• The features makes it useful in oscillator and microwave amplifier forward voltage.
applications.
The negative resistance region is IF

A K unstable. Taking advantage of this

B Negative-
characteristic, the tunnel diode can resistance
region

be used in an oscillator circuit at Tunneling C

A current
microwave frequencies 0
VF

Schematic Symbol

25

Summary

Common Diode Symbols

Zener Light-emitting Photo

Varactor Laser Schottky

PIN Tunnel Current-regulator