This document outlines a course on electronic devices, including diodes. It discusses the atomic structure of materials and how this determines their conductivity. Semiconductors are formed from doped p-type and n-type materials, which when joined create a PN junction and depletion region. A diode allows current in one direction by forward biasing and blocks it in the other through reverse biasing. The document covers diode characteristics, testing, and applications.
This document outlines a course on electronic devices, including diodes. It discusses the atomic structure of materials and how this determines their conductivity. Semiconductors are formed from doped p-type and n-type materials, which when joined create a PN junction and depletion region. A diode allows current in one direction by forward biasing and blocks it in the other through reverse biasing. The document covers diode characteristics, testing, and applications.
This document outlines a course on electronic devices, including diodes. It discusses the atomic structure of materials and how this determines their conductivity. Semiconductors are formed from doped p-type and n-type materials, which when joined create a PN junction and depletion region. A diode allows current in one direction by forward biasing and blocks it in the other through reverse biasing. The document covers diode characteristics, testing, and applications.
This document outlines a course on electronic devices, including diodes. It discusses the atomic structure of materials and how this determines their conductivity. Semiconductors are formed from doped p-type and n-type materials, which when joined create a PN junction and depletion region. A diode allows current in one direction by forward biasing and blocks it in the other through reverse biasing. The document covers diode characteristics, testing, and applications.
INTRODUCTION Objectives Discuss the basic structure of atoms Discuss properties of insulators, conductors, and semiconductors Discuss covalent bonding Describe the properties of both p and n type materials Discuss basic operation of a diode Discuss both forward and reverse biasing of a p-n junction Diode Bohr model of an atom As seen in this model, electrons circle the nucleus. Atomic structure of a material determines it’s ability to conduct or insulate. Electrons & Shells Electrons orbits the nucleus at certain distances Electrons near the nucleus has less energy as compared to the electrons in distant orbits Orbits of same energies are grouped as shells Each shell has a defined number of electrons it will hold and can be determined by the formula, 2n2. The outermost shell is called valence shell Number of electrons in valence shell determine the chemical & electrical properties of the element If an atom loses a valence electron, positive ion is formed If an extra electron is added to valence shell, negative ion is formed The Quantum Model • Unlike Bohr’s Model, electrons do not circulate in fixed circular orbits – Wave-particle duality – Uncertainly principle • Each shell comprises orbitals s(2),p(6),d(10),f(14) • Quantum representation of Si, atomic number:14 Conductors, Insulators, and Semiconductors
The ability of a material to conduct
current is based on its atomic structure.
Each shell has a defined number of
electrons it will hold. This is a fact of nature and can be determined by the formula, 2n2. The outer shell is called the valence shell. The less complete a shell is filled to capacity the more conductive the material is. Covalent Bonding Covalent bonding is a bonding of two or more atoms by the interaction of their valence electrons. Current in Semiconductor
• @ 0kelvin • @ room temperature N-type and P-type Semiconductors The process of creating N and P type materials is called doping. Other atoms with 5 electrons Other atoms with 3 electrons such as Antimony are added to such as Boron are added to Silicon to increase the free Silicon to create a deficiency electrons. of electrons or hole charges. N-type P-type The Depletion Region p region n region p region n region
With the formation of the This creates the depletion
p and n materials region and has a barrier potential. This potential combination of electrons cannot be measured with a and holes at the junction voltmeter but it will cause a takes place. small voltage drop. Forward and Reverse Bias
Forward Bias Reverse Bias
Voltage source or bias Voltage source or bias connections are + to the p connections are – to the p material and + to the n material material and – to the n material Bias must be less than the break Bias must be greater than .3 V down voltage. for Germanium or .7 V for Current flow is negligible in most Silicon diodes. cases. The depletion region widens. The depletion region narrows. Forward Bias Measurements With Small Voltage Applied In this case with the voltage applied is less than the barrier potential so the diode for all practical purposes is still in a non- conducting state. Current is very small. Forward Bias Measurements With Applied Voltage Greater Than the Barrier Voltage.
With the applied
voltage exceeding the barrier potential the now fully forward biased diode conducts. Note that the only practical loss is the .7 Volts dropped across the diode. Ideal Diode Characteristic Curve
In this characteristic curve we do not consider the voltage drop or the resistive properties. Current flow proportionally increases with voltage. Practical Diode Characteristic Curve In most cases we consider only the forward bias voltage drop of a diode. Once this voltage is overcome the current increases proportionally with voltage. This drop is particularly important to consider in low voltage applications. Complex Characteristic Curve of a Diode The voltage drop is not the only loss of a diode. In some cases we must take into account other factors such as the resistive effects as well as reverse breakdown. Troubleshooting Diodes Testing a diode is quite simple, particularly if the multimeter used has a diode check function. With the diode check function a specific known voltage is applied from the meter across the diode.
With the diode check
function a good diode will show approximately .7 V or .3 V when forward biased. When checking in reverse bias the full applied testing K A A K voltage will be seen on the display. Troubleshooting Diodes An ohmmeter can be used to check the forward and reverse resistance of a diode if the ohmmeter has enough voltage to force the diode into conduction. Of course, in forward biased connection low resistance will be seen and in reverse biased connection high resistance will be seen. Troubleshooting Diodes Open Diode
In the case of an open diode no current flows in
either direction which is indicated by the full checking voltage with the diode check function or high resistance using an ohmmeter in both forward and reverse connections. Shorted Diode
In the case of a shorted diode maximum current
flows indicated by a 0 V with the diode check function or low resistance with an ohmmeter in both forward and reverse connections. Diode Packages Diodes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The design and structure is determined by what type of circuit they will be used in. Summary Diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits are all made of semiconductor material. P-materials are doped with trivalent impurities N-materials are doped with pentavalent impurities P and N type materials are joined together to form a PN junction. A diode is nothing more than a PN junction. At the junction a depletion region is formed. This creates barrier which requires approximately .3 V for a Germanium and .7 V for Silicon for conduction to take place. Summary
A diode conducts when forward biased and does
not conduct when reverse biased When reversed biased a diode can only withstand so much applied voltage. The voltage at which avalanche current occurs is called reverse breakdown voltage. There are three ways of analyzing a diode. These are ideal, practical, and complex. Typically we use a practical diode model.
