2Diode Circuits

2.1 The v‐i Characteristic of Diodes

Figure 2.1(a) shows the symbol for a diode, which allows an electric current (as a low resistance) in the forward direction, while blocking current (as a large resistance) in the reverse direction. Figure 2.1(b) shows the v‐i characteristic of a practical diode, which can be approximated by the Shockley diode equation (named after transistor coinventor William Bradford Shockley) or the diode law:

Image described by caption and surrounding text.

Figure 2.1 Symbol and v‐i characteristic of a diode.

where IS, η, and VT are the leakage (reverse saturation) current, the empirical constant (called the emission coefficient or ideality factor) between 1 and 2, and the thermal voltage, respectively.

Note that the thermal voltage VT is ...

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