![]() Specialized diodes like LEDs will require a higher forward voltage, whereas Schottky diodes (see below) will require a lower forward voltage. Using a germanium-based diode will require a lower forward voltage around 0.3V. Using a silicon-based diode will require a forward voltage between 0.6 and 1V. ![]() What determines this forward voltage? The semiconductor material and type. You might also see it referred to as cut-in voltage or on-voltage. The voltage required to turn on a diode is called the forward voltage (VF). When you work with diodes, you’ll come to learn that for one to allow current through, it requires a very specific amount of positive voltage. ( Image source) Forward Voltage & Breakdowns Hook a battery up in an unintended direction, and your diode will stop current from flowing between n-type and p-type. And the no man’s land space in between the two pieces of silicon? Well, it starts to shrink, and electric current starts to flow! This is the forward-biased state of a diode that we talked about in the beginning. In this instance, the negative terminal is connected to the n-type silicon, and the positive terminal is connected to the p-type silicon. Let’s say you put n-type and p-type silicon together, and then connect a battery, creating a circuit. It’s in this junction, which can be thought of like some kind of no man’s land, where all the magic in a diode happens. ![]() By joining n-type and p-type silicon together, you create what’s called a junction. Now that your pieces of silicon are both positively and negatively doped, you can put them together. This is called p-type, or positive-type silicon. By adding boron to silicon, this removes electrons from the silicon atom, leaving a bunch of empty holes where the electrons should be. This is called n-type, or negative-type silicon because it has more negative electrons than usual. The first is to dope silicon with antimony, which gives it a few extra electrons and allows silicon to conduct electricity. With silicon all grown up, it’s now time to dope it. This is called a clean room, meaning that it’s free from dust and other contaminants. First, silicon is grown in a tightly controlled laboratory environment. Here’s how the doping process works in a typical piece of silicon. It’s an insulator by day, but if you add impurities to it through a process called doping, then you give it the magical power to conduct electricity by night.īecause of their dual capabilities as both an insulator and conductor, semiconductors have found their perfect niche in components that need to control the flow of electric current in the form of diodes and transistors. So how do we get electricity to flow through silicon or germanium? With a little magic trick called doping. But if you know anything about semiconductors, then you’ll know that in their natural state, neither of these elements conduct electricity. You’ll find most diodes these days made from two of the most popular semiconductor materials in electronics – silicon or germanium. The arrow on a diode symbol indicates the direction that current will flow. When you manage to slip a battery into a circuit backward, then your diode will block any current from flowing, and this is called a reverse-biased state. When you insert a battery correctly into a circuit, then current will be allowed to flow through a diode this is called a forward-biased state. There are two ways to describe how current will or won’t flow through a diode, and they include: Unlike passive components that sit idly by resisting or storing, diodes actively have their hands deep in the ebb and flow of current as it courses throughout our devices. The diode is well known for its ability to control the flow of electrical current in a circuit. Today, we’ll be talking about the diode, the notorious control freak that only allows electricity to flow in one direction! If you’ve seen a LED in action, then you’re already well ahead of the game, let’s get started. These parts come to life when wired into a circuit, and can manipulate electricity in many ways! There are two semiconductor components that you’ll be working with, the diode and transistor. Welcome back, Component Captains! Today it’s time to level up your knowledge and move beyond simple passive components into the realm of semiconductor components. Control Freak – How the Diode Works in Its Many Uses, Including the LED!
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