2. PN Junction Diode and Applications
The chapter discusses the fundamental concepts and applications of PN junction diodes, including their structure, behavior under biasing, and characteristics. It highlights the diode equation, differences between ideal and real diodes, and various applications such as rectifiers, voltage regulators, and optoelectronic devices like LEDs and photodiodes.
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What we have learnt
- PN junction diodes allow unidirectional current flow.
- The depletion region and biasing mechanisms control diode behavior.
- Applications of PN junction diodes span from rectification to optical communication technologies.
Key Concepts
- -- PN Junction
- The interface between p-type and n-type semiconductors, enabling the function of diodes.
- -- Depletion Region
- The charge-free zone at the junction of p-type and n-type materials, where mobile charge carriers are absent.
- -- Diode Equation
- An equation that describes the current flowing through a PN junction diode as a function of the applied voltage, temperature, and material properties.
- -- Zener Diode
- A type of diode designed to allow current to flow in reverse when a specific reverse voltage is reached, used for voltage regulation.
- -- LED (Light Emitting Diode)
- A semiconductor device that emits light when forward biased, commonly used in displays and indicators.
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