![]() When the simulation in run, you can notice that only the forward biased Diode allows current to flow though it thus glowing the LED the reverse biased diode does not allow any current to pass through it. In one circuit the diode is forward biased and in the other the diode is reverse biased. The above animation illustrates the working of diode in a circuit, there are two circuits both in which we are trying to glow a Led with a battery. ![]() Keep in mind that these characteristics are applicable only to an ideal diode (theoretical) practically there will be a little bit of current flowing even in reverse biased mode. During this state the negative voltage will pump in more electrons to P-type and N-type material will get more holes from positive voltage which makes the depletion layer even stronger and thus allowing no current to flow through it. This minimum voltage required to make the diode conduct in forward direction is called the forward breakdown voltage.Īlternatively, if a negative voltage is applied to Anode and positive voltage is applied to Cathode the diode is said to be in reverse biased condition. During this state the positive voltage will pump more holes into the P-type region and the negative voltage will pump more electrons into the N-type region which causes the depletion layer to breakdown casing the current to flow from Anode to Cathode. ![]() When a positive voltage is applied to the Anode and a Negative voltage is applied to the Cathode the diode is said to be in forward biased condition. This depletion layer (Blockage) has to be broken if the current has to flow through a diode. This blockage layer is called as depletion layer. This is because the P-type layer has excess hole and the N-type layer has excess electrons and they both try to diffuse into each other forming a high resistance blockage between both the materials like in the image shown below. When these two materials are joined together something interesting happens, they form another small layer in-between them called the depletion layer. A Diode is made by joining two equally doped P-type semi-conductor and N-type semi-conductor material. To know why they conduct in only one direction we have to look at how they are constructed. This property of diode is what makes it useful in many applications. Another golden rule with diodes is that they allow current to pass through them in only one direction that is from Anode to Cathode. The two terminals are named as Anode and Cathode, we will get into the symbol and how to identify the terminals later, but for now just remember that any diode will have only two terminals (at least most of them) and they are Anode and Cathode. There are many types of diodes but the most commonly used one is shown below. What is a Diode?Ī Diode, as I told earlier is a semi-conductor cylindrical component with two terminals. Let’s start by answering the most basic question. Perhaps, you might have already heard the ramble that “Diodes are semi-conductor devices with two terminals that conduct only in one particular direction allowing current to pass through them…” but why is that? And what does it actually has to do with us while designing a circuit? What are the different types of diodes and in which application should we use them? Hold tight for you will be answered to all these questions as you read down this article. In this article let’s cover the most basic semi-conductor device, the diodes. ![]() Each of them has their own properties and application. Every electronic circuit has dozens of semi-conductor device like Diodes, Transistors, Regulators, Op-Amps, Power switches etc. While the Resistors, Capacitors and Inductors form the basic elements of a circuit, it is the semi-conductor device that actually holds the magic within.
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