Basic Electronics

2

Diode Fundamentals

Outline

 

2-1 Introduction

2-2 Formation of the p–n Junction

2-3 Energy Band Diagrams

2-4 Concepts of Junction Potential

2-5 Modes of the p–n Junction

2-6 Derivation of the I–V Characteristics of a p–n Junction Diode

2-7 Linear Piecewise Models

2-8 Breakdown Diode

2-9 Special Types of p–n Junction Semiconductor Diodes

2-10 Applications of Diode

Objectives

This chapter introduces the reader to the first non-linear element in the whole field of electronics, namely the diode. William Shockley first demonstrated the diode in his famous paper on this topic, and discussed the formation of the p–n junction and the energy band diagram together with the basic concept of built-in potential. In analog electronics the modes of operation ...