Gunn Diode – Features, Operation & Applications

Features of a Gunn Diode

A gunn diode is made up of only N-type semiconductor which is typically sandwiched between two metal conductors. The central section is usually lightly doped N surrounded by heavily doped N+ layers. The … Read more

What Is the Aluminium Layer of a PCB?

Aluminium is among the most important metals on earth. It’s used in various industries and applications, including aircraft parts, furniture, and sporting equipment. However, did you know it’s also used to create aluminium substrate PCBs – one of the most … Read more

Clipper Circuits – Features & Applications

A clipper also referred to as a limiter is a circuit which removes the peak of a waveform. A clipper consists of diodes, resistors and sometimes DC sources to clip or limit the output to a certain level.

The input-output … Read more

Linear/Analog vs. Digital Integrated Circuits (ICs)

Linear ICs (LICs) also referred to as analog ICs are characterized by inputs and outputs that can take a continuous range of values. In addition, the outputs are generally proportional to the inputs. On the other hand, Digital ICs contain … Read more

PIN Diode – Features & Applications

PIN diode is characterized by fast low capacitance switching. A PIN diode is fabricated in a similar fashion to a silicon switching diode with an intrinsic region added between the PN junction layers. This generates a thicker depletion region, the … Read more

Schottky Diode – Features & Applications

Schottky diode is fabricated as a metal-to-N junction rather than a P-N semiconductor junction. Also referred to as hot-carrier diodes, Schottky diodes are characterized by fast switching times (low reverse-recovery time), low forward voltage drop (normally 0.25 to 0.4 … Read more

The Principle and Application of IMPATT Diode

The Impact Avalanche Transit Time (IMPATT) diode is a high power radio frequency (RF) generator that operates from 3 to 100 GHz. IMPATT diodes are manufactured from silicon, gallium arsenide or silicon carbide.

An IMPATT diode is reverse biased above … Read more

The Shockley Diode Features & Operation

The Shockey diode is a four layer sandwich of PNPN semiconductor material very similar to the SCR but without a gate as illustrated in the Figure 1.0 below:

Shockley or 4-layer diode (PNPN diode)
Figure 1.0 Shockley or 4-layer diode (PNPN diode)

Transistor equivalent of Shockley diode
Figure 1.1 Transistor equivalent
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