A varactor diode, also called varicap, VVC (voltage-variable capacitance, or tuning diode, is a type of semiconductor diode which features a variable voltage-dependent capacitance on its p-n junction when the device is reversed biased. Reverse bias basically means when the diode is subjected to an opposite voltage, meaning a positive voltage at the cathode, and […]
Diodes
Light Emitting Diodes (LED) Explained
The full form of LED is Light Emitting Diode. LEDs are special type of semiconductor diodes which emit light in response to a potential difference applied across their terminals, hence the name light emitting diode. Just like a normal diode LEDs also have two terminals with polarity, namely anode and cathode. To illuminate an LED […]
Point Contact Diodes [History, Construction, Application Circuit]
In this article I will comprehensively explain about the early point contact diodes, and their modern versions which are Germanium diodes. Here I have explained the following facts: Brief history of point contact diodes Construction of point contact diodes and modern Germanium diodes Advantages of point contact diodes or Germanium diodes Applications of Germanium Diodes […]
Diodes: Working, How to Use, Applications
It’s John Ambrose Fleming (1849-1945), a British engineer, who invented the first diode in 1904, in the form of an electron tube. Later, with the development of semiconductor technology, the diode became a dipole consisting of two substrates: one, rich in free electrons, and of type N, the other deficient in electrons, and of type […]
How to Connect Diodes in Parallel
In this post we systematically discuss how to connect diodes in parallel for getting upgrading the overall current specifications of the assembly. This requires special circuit arrangement to ensure uniform current distribution between the devices. Whenever an inductor based load is involved in a DC circuit, incorporating a back EMF protection diode or a freewheeling […]
Schottky Diodes – Working, Characteristics, Application
Schottky barrier diodes are semiconductor diodes designed with minimal forward voltage and fast switching speeds which may be as low as 10 ns. These are manufactured in current ranges of 500 mA to 5 amps and up to 40 V. Due to these features they become specifically suitable in low voltage, high frequency applications such […]