A diode is a two-terminal device, having two active electrodes, between which it allows the transfer of current in one

direction only. Diodes are known for their unidirectional current property, wherein, the electric current is allowed to flow in
one direction. Basically, diodes are used for the purpose of rectifying waveforms, and can be used within power supplies
or within radio detectors. They can also be used in circuits where 'one way' effect of diode is required. Most diodes are
made from semiconductors such as silicon, however, germanium is also used sometimes. Diodes transmit electric
currents in one direction, however, the manner in which they do so can vary. Several types of diodes are available for use
in electronics design. Some of the different types are:
Light Emitting Diode (LED): It is one of the most popular type of diodes and when this diode permits the transfer of
electric current between the electrodes, light is produced. In most of the diodes, the light (infrared) cannot be seen as they
are at frequencies that do not permit visibility. When the diode is switched on or forward biased, the electrons recombine
with the holes and release energy in the form of light (electroluminescence). The color of light depends on the energy gap
of the semiconductor.
Avalanche Diode: This type of diode operates in the reverse bias, and used avalanche effect for its operation. The
avalanche breakdown takes place across the entire PN junction, when the voltage drop is constant and is independent of
current. Generally, the avalanche diode is used for photo-detection, wherein high levels of sensitivity can be obtained by
the avalanche process.
Laser Diode: This type of diode is different from the LED type, as it produces coherent light. These diodes find their
application in DVD and CD drives, laser pointers, etc. Laser diodes are more expensive than LEDs. However, they are
cheaper than other forms of laser generators. Moreover, these laser diodes have limited life.
Schottky Diodes: These diodes feature lower forward voltage drop as compared to the ordinary silicon PN junction
diodes. The voltage drop may be somewhere between 0.15 and 0.4 volts at low currents, as compared to the 0.6 volts for
a silicon diode. In order to achieve this performance, these diodes are constructed differently from normal diodes, with
metal to semiconductor contact. Schottky diodes are used in RF applications, rectifier applications and clamping diodes.
Zener diode: This type of diode provides a stable reference voltage, thus is a very useful type and is used in vast
quantities. The diode runs in reverse bias, and breaks down on the arrival of a certain voltage. A stable voltage is
produced, if the current through the resistor is limited. In power supplies, these diodes are widely used to provide a
reference voltage.
Photodiode: Photodiodes are used to detect light and feature wide, transparent junctions. Generally, these diodes
operate in reverse bias, wherein even small amounts of current flow, resulting from the light, can be detected with ease.
Photodiodes can also be used to generate electricity, used as solar cells and even in photometry.
Varicap Diode or Varactor Diode: This type of diode feature a reverse bias placed upon it, which varies the width of the
depletion layer as per the voltage placed across the diode. This diode acts as a capacitor and capacitor plates are formed
by the extent of conduction regions and the depletion region as the insulating dielectric. By altering the bias on the diode,
the width of the depletion region changes, thereby varying the capacitance.
Rectifier Diode: These diodes are used to rectify alternating power inputs in power supplies. They can rectify current
levels that range from an amp upwards. If low voltage drops are required, then Schottky diodes can be used, however,
generally these diodes are PN junction diodes.
Small signal or Small current diode - These diodes assumes that the operating point is not affected because the signal
is small

Large signal diodes - The operating point in these diodes get affected as the signal is large.

Transient voltage supression diodes - This diode is used to protect the electronics that are sensitive against voltage
spikes.

Gold doped diodes - These diodes use gold as the dopant and can operate at signal frequencies even if the
forward voltage drop increases.

Super barrier diodes - These are also called as the rectifier diodes. This diodes have the property of low reverse
leakage current as that of normal p-n junction diode and low forward voltage drop as that of Schottky diode with surge
handling ability.

Point contact diodes - The construction of this diode is simpler and are used in analog applications and as a
detector in radio receivers. This diode is built of n type semiconductor and few conducting metals placed to be in contact
with the semiconductor. Some metals move from towards the semiconductor to form small region of p- tpye semiconductor
near the contact.

Peltier diodes - This diode is used as heat engine and sensor for thermoelectric cooling.

Gunn diode - This diode is made of materials like GaAs or InP that exhibit a negative differential resistance region.

Crystal diode - These are a type of point contact diodes which are also called as Cats whisker diode. This didoe
comprises of a thin sharpened metal wire which is pressed against the semiconducting crystal. The metal wire is the
anode and the semconducting crystal is the cathode. These diodes are obsolete.

Avalanche diode - This diode conducts in reverse bias condition where the reverse bias volage applied across the
p-n junction creates a wave of ionization leading to the flow of large current. These didoes are designed to breakdown at
specific reverse voltage in order to avoid any damage.

Silicon controlled rectifier - As the name implies this diode can be controlled or triggered to the ON condition due
to the application of small voltage. They belong to the family of Tyristors and is used in various fields of DC motor control,
generator field regulation, lighting system control and variable frequency drive . This is three terminal device with anode,
cathode and third controled lead or gate.

Vaccum diodes - This diode is two electrode vacuum tube which can tolerate high inverse voltages.

Diodes are used widely in the electronics industry, right from electronics design to production, to repair. Besides the above
mentioned types of diodes, the other diodes are PIN diode, point contact diode, signal diode, step recovery diode, tunnel
diode and gold doped diodes. The type of diode to transfer electric current depends on the type and amount of
transmission, as well as on specific applications.
Types of diodes
It is sometimes useful to summarise the different types of diode that are available. Some of the categories may overlap,
but the various definitions may help to narrow the field down and provide an overview of the different diode types that are
available.
Backward diode: This type of diode is sometimes also called the back diode. Although not widely used, it is a
form of PN junction diode that is very similar to the tunnel diode in its operation. It finds a few specialist
applications where its particular properties can be used. Read more about the Backward diode
BARITT diode: This form of diode gains its name from the words Barrier Injection Transit Time diode. It is used
in microwave applications and bears many similarities to the more widely used IMPATT diode. Read more about
the Baritt diode

Gunn Diode: Although not a diode in the form of a PN junction, this type of diode is a semiconductor device that
has two terminals. It is generally used for generating microwave signals. Read more about theGunn diode
Laser diode: This type of diode is not the same as the ordinary light emitting diode because it produces
coherent light. Laser diodes are widely used in many applications from DVD and CD drives to laser light pointers
for presentations. Although laser diodes are much cheaper than other forms of laser generator, they are
considerably more expensive than LEDs. They also have a limited life. Read more about thelaser diode
Light emitting diodes: The light emitting diode or LED is one of the most popular types of diode. When forward
biased with current flowing through the junction, light is produced. The diodes use component semiconductors,
and can produce a variety of colours, although the original colour was red. There are also very many new LED
developments that are changing the way displays can be used and manufactured. High output LEDs and OLEDs
are two examples. Read more about the light emitting diode
Photodiode: The photo-diode is used for detecting light. It is found that when light strikes a PN junction it can
create electrons and holes. Typically photo-diodes are operated under reverse bias conditions where even small
amounts of current flow resulting from the light can be easily detected. Photo-diodes can also be used to generate
electricity. For some applications, PIN diodes work very well as photodetectors. Read more about the photodiode
PIN diode: This type of diode is typified by its construction. It has the standard P type and N-type areas, but
between them there is an area of Intrinsic semiconductor which has no doping. The area of the intrinsic
semiconductor has the effect of increasing the area of the depletion region which can be useful for switching
applications as well as for use in photodiodes, etc. Read more about the PIN diode
PN Junction: The standard PN junction may be thought of as the normal or standard type of diode in use today.
These diodes can come as small signal types for use in radio frequency, or other low current applications which
may be termed as signal diodes. Other types may be intended for high current and high voltage applications and
are normally termed rectifier diodes. Read more about the diode
Schottky diodes: This type of diode has a lower forward voltage drop than ordinary silicon PN junction diodes.
At low currents the drop may be somewhere between 0.15 and 0.4 volts as opposed to 0.6 volts for a silicon
diode. To achieve this performance they are constructed in a different way to normal diodes having a metal to
semiconductor contact. They are widely used as clamping diodes, in RF applications, and also for rectifier
applications. Read more about the Schottky diode
Step recovery diode: A form of microwave diode used for generating and shaping pulses at very high
frequencies. These diodes rely on a very fast turn off characteristic of the diode for their operation. Read more
about the Step recovery diode
Tunnel diode: Although not widely used today, the tunnel diode was used for microwave applications where its
performance exceeded that of other devices of the day. Read more about the Tunnel diode
Varactor diode or varicap diode: This type of diode is used in many radio frequency (RF) applications. The
diode has a reverse bias placed upon it and this varies the width of the depletion layer according to the voltage
placed across the diode. In this configuration the varactor or varicap diode acts like a capacitor with the depletion
region being the insulating dielectric and the capacitor plates formed by the extent of the conduction regions. The
capacitance can be varied by changing the bias on the diode as this will vary the width of the depletion region
which will accordingly change the capacitance. Read more about thevaractor diode
Zener diode: The Zener diode is a very useful type of diode as it provides a stable reference voltage. As a result
it is used in vast quantities. It is run under reverse bias conditions and it is found that when a certain voltage is
reached it breaks down. If the current is limited through a resistor, it enables a stable voltage to be produced. This
type of diode is therefore widely used to provide a reference voltage in power supplies. Two types of reverse
breakdown are apparent in these diodes: Zener breakdown and Impact Ionisation. However the name Zener
diode is used for the reference diodes regardless of the form of breakdown that is employed. Read more about
the Zener / voltage reference diode

Semiconductor diodes are widely used throughout all areas of the electronics industry from electronics design through to
production and repair. The semiconductor diode is very versatile, and there are very many variants and different types of
diode that enable all the variety of different applications to be met.
The different diode types of types of diodes include those for small signal applications, high current and voltage as well as
different types of diodes for light emission and detection as well as types for low forward voltage drops, and types to give
variable capacitance. In addition to this there are a number of diode types that are used for microwave applications.

Introduction
Diodes are electronic components functions as a one-way valve it means it allow current to flow in one direction. These
diodes are manufactured by the semiconductor materials germanium, silicon and selenium. Operation of diode can be
classified in two ways, if it allows the current then it is forward biased otherwise it is reverse biased. For silicon diodes the
forward voltage is 0.7v and for germanium it is 0.3v. In silicon diode the dark band indicates the cathode terminal and the
other terminal is anode. Generally diodes are used as reverse polarity protector and transient protector. There are many
types of diodes and some of these are listed as follows.
1. Small Signal Diode
It is a small device with disproportional characteristics and whose applications are mainly involved at high frequency and
very low currents devices such as radios and televisions etc. To protect the diode from contamination it is enveloped with
a glass so it is also named as Glass Passivated Diode which is extensively used as 1N4148. The appearance of signal
diode is very small when compared with the power diode. To indicate the cathode terminal one edge is marked with black
or red in color. For the applications at high frequencies the performance of the small signal diode is very effective. With
respect to the functional frequencies of the signal diode the carrying capacity of the current and power are very low which
are maximum nearly at 150mA and 500mW.
The signal diode is a silicon doped semiconductor diode or a germanium doped diode but depending up on the doping
material the characteristics of the diode varies. In signal diode the characteristics of the silicon doped diode is
approximately opposite to the germanium doped diode. The silicon signal diode has high voltage drop at the coupling
about 0.6 to 0.7 volts so, it has very high resistance but low forward resistance. On other hand germanium signal diode
has low resistance due to low voltage drop nearly at 0.2 to 0.3 volts and high forward resistance. Due to small signal the
functional point is not disrupted in small signal diode.

2. Large Signal Diode

These diodes have large PN junction layer. Thus the transformation of AC to DC voltages is unbounded. This also
increases the current forward capacity and reverse blocking voltage. These large signals will disrupt the functional point
also. Due to this it is not suitable for high frequency applications. The main applications of these diodes are in battery
charging devices like inverters. In these diodes the range of forward resistance is in Ohms and the reverse blocking
resistance is in mega Ohms. Since it has high current and voltage performance these can be used in electrical devices
which are used to suppress high peak voltages.

3. Zener Diode
It is a passive element works under the principle of zener breakdown. First produced by Clarence zener in 1934.It is
similar to normal diode in forward direction, it also allows current in reverse direction when the applied voltage reaches the
breakdown voltage. It is designed to prevent the other semiconductor devices from momentary voltage pulses. It acts as
voltage regulator.

4. Light Emitting Diode (LED)

These diodes convert the electrical energy in to light energy. First production started in 1968. It undergoes
electroluminescence process in which holes and electrons are recombined to produce energy in the form of light in
forward bias condition. Earlier they used in inductor lamps but now in recent applications they are using in environmental
and task handling. Mostly used in applications like aviation lighting, traffic signals, camera flashes.

5. Constant Current Diodes

It is also known as current-regulating diode or constant current diode or current-limiting diode or diode-connected
transistor. The function of the diode is regulating the voltage at a particular current. It functions as a two terminal current
limiter. In this JFET acts as current limiter to achieve high output impedance. The constant current diode symbol is shown
below.

6. Schottky Diode
In this type of diode the junction is formed by contacting the semiconductor material with metal. Due to this the forward
voltage drop is decreased to min. The semiconductor material is N-type silicon which acts as an anode and the metal acts
as a cathode whose materials are chromium, platinum, tungsten etc. Due to the metal junction these diodes have high
current conducting capability thus the switching time reduces. So, Schottky has greater use in switching applications.
Mainly because of the metal- semiconductor junction the voltage drop is low which in turn increase the diode performance
and reduces power loss. So, these are used in high frequency rectifier applications. The symbol of Schottky diode is as
shown below.

7. Shockley Diode
It was the invention of first semiconductor devices it has four layers. It is also called as pnpn diode. It is equal to a thyristor
without a gate terminal which means the gate terminal is disconnected. As there is no trigger inputs the only way the diode
can conduct is by providing forward voltage. It stays on ones it turned ON and stays off ones it turned OFF. The diode
has two operating states conducting and non-conducting. In non-conducting state the diode conducts with less voltage.

The symbol of the Shockley diode is as follows:

Shockley Diode Applications:

Trigger switches for SCR.

Acts as relaxation oscillator.

8. Step Recovery Diodes:

It is also called as snap-off diode or charge-storage diode. These are the special type of diodes which stores the charge
from positive pulse and uses in the negative pulse of the sinusoidal signals. The rise time of the current pulse is equal to
the snap time. Due to this phenomenon it has speed recovery pulses. The applications of these diodes are in higher order
multipliers and in pulse shaper circuits. The cut-off frequency of these diodes is very high which are nearly at Giga hertz
order. As multiplier this diode has the cut-off frequency range of 200 to 300 GHz. In the operations which are performing at
10GHz range these diodes plays a vital role. The efficiency is high for lower order multipliers. The symbol for this diode is
as shown below.

9. Tunnel Diode
It is used as high speed switch, of order nano-seconds. Due to tunneling effect it has very fast operation in microwave
frequency region. It is a two terminal device in which concentration of dopants is too high. The transient response is being
limited by junction capacitance plus stray wiring capacitance. Mostly used in microwave oscillators and amplifiers. It acts
as most negative conductance device. Tunnel diodes can be tuned in both mechanically and electrically. The symbol of
tunnel diode is as shown below.

Tunnel Diode Applications:

1.
Oscillatory circuits.
2.
Microwave circuits.
3.
Resistant to nuclear radiation.

10. Varactor Diode

These are also known as Varicap diodes. It acts like the variable capacitor. Operations are performed mainly at reverse
bias state only. These diodes are very famous due to its capability of changing the capacitance ranges within the circuit in
the presence of constant voltage flow. They can able to vary capacitance up to high values. In varactor diode by changing
the reverse bias voltage we can decrease or increase the depletion layer. These diodes have many applications as
voltage controlled oscillator for cell phones, satellite pre-filters etc. The symbol of varactor diode is given below.

Varactor Diode Applications:

1.
Voltage-controlled capacitors.
2.
Voltage-controlled oscillators.
3.
Parametric amplifiers.
4.
Frequency multipliers.
5.
FM transmitters and Phase locked loops in radio, television sets and cellular telephone.

11. Laser Diode

Similar to LED in which active region is formed by p-n junction. Electrically laser diode is p-i-n diode in which the active
region is in intrinsic region. Used in fiber optic communications, barcodereaders, laser pointers, CD/DVD/Blu-ray reading
and recording, Laser printing.
Laser Diode Types:
1.
Double Heterostructure Laser: Free electrons and holes available simultaneously in the region.
2.
Quantum Well Lasers: lasers having more than one quantum well are called multi quantum well lasers.
3.
Quantum Cascade Lasers: These are heterojunction lasers which enables laser action at relatively long
wavelengths.
4.
Separate Confinement Heterostructure Lasers: To compensate the thin layer problem in quantum lasers we go
for separate confinement heterostructure lasers.
5.
Distributed Bragg Reflector Lasers: It can be edge emitting lasers or VCSELS.
The symbol of the Laser Diode is as shown:

12. Transient Voltage Suppression Diode

In semiconductor devices due to the sudden change in the state voltage transients will occur. They will damage the device
output response. To overcome this problem voltage suppression diode diodes are used. The operation of voltage
suppression diode is similar to Zener diode operation. The operation of these diodes is normal as p-n junction diodes but
at the time of transient voltage its operation changes. In normal condition the impedance of the diode is high. When any
transient voltage occurs in the circuit the diode enters in to the avalanche breakdown region in which the low impedance
is provided. It is spontaneously very fast because the avalanche breakdown duration ranges in Pico seconds. Transient
voltage suppression diode will clamp the voltage to the fixed levels, mostly its clamping voltage is in minimum range.
These are having applications in the telecommunication fields, medical, microprocessors and signal processing. It
responds to over voltages faster than varistors or gas discharge tubes.
The symbol for Transient voltage suppression diode is as shown below.

The diode is characterized by

Leakage current
Maximum reverse stand-off voltage
Breakdown voltage
Clamping voltage
Parasitic capacitience
Parasitic inductance
Amount of energy it can absorb

13. Gold Doped Diodes

In these diodes gold is used as a dopant. These diodes are faster than other diodes. In these diodes the leakage current
in reverse bias condition also less. Even at the higher voltage drop it allows the diode to operate in signal frequencies. In
these diodes gold helps for the faster recombination of minority carriers.

14. Super Barrier Diodes

It is a rectifier diode having low forward voltage drop as schottky diode with surge handling capability and low reverse
leakage current as p-n junction diode. It was designed for highpower, fast switching and low-loss applications. Super
barrier rectifiers are the next generation rectifiers with low forward voltage than schottky diode.

15. Peltier Diode

In this type of diode, at the two material junction of a semiconductor it generates a heat which flows from one terminal to
another terminal. This flow is done in only single direction that is as equal to the direction of current flow. This heat is
produced due to electric charge produced by the recombination of minority charge carriers. This is mainly used in cooling
and heating applications. This type of diodes used as sensor and heat engine for thermo electric cooling.

16. Crystal Diode:

This is also known as Cats whisker which is a type of point contact diode. Its operation depends on the pressure of
contact between semiconductor crystal and point. In this a metal wire is present which is pressed against the
semiconductor crystal. In this the semiconductor crystal acts as cathode and metal wire acts as anode. These diodes are
obsolete in nature. Mainly used in microwave receivers and detectors.
Crystal Diode Applications:
1.
Crystal diode rectifier
2.
Crystal diode detector
3.
Crystal radio receiver

17. Avalanche Diode:

This is passive element works under principle of avalanche breakdown. It works in reverse bias condition. It results large
currents due to the ionization produced by p-n junction during reverse bias condition. These diodes are specially designed
to undergo breakdown at specific reverse voltage to prevent the damage. The symbol of the avalanche diode is as shown
below:

Avalanche Diode Uses:

1.
RF Noise Generation: It acts as source of RF for antenna analyzer bridges and also as white noise generators.
Used in radio equipments and also in hardware random number generators.
2.
Microwave Frequency Generation: In this the diode acts as negative resistance device.
3.
Single Photon Avalanche Detector: These are high gain photon detectors used in light level applications.

18. Silicon Controlled Rectifier

It consists of three terminals they are anode, cathode and a gate. It is nearly equal to the Shockley diode. As its name
indicates it is mainly used for the control purpose when small voltages are applied in the circuit. The symbol of the Silicon
Controlled Rectifier is as shown below:

Modes of Operation:
1.
Forward blocking mode (off state): In this j1 and j3 forward biased and j2 is reverse biased. It offers high
resistance below breakover voltage and hence it is said to be off state.
2.
Forward conduction mode (on state): By increasing the voltage at anode and cathode or by applying positive
pulse at the gate we can turn ON. To turn off the only way is to decrease the current flowing through it.
3.
Reverse blocking mode (off state): SCR blocking the reverse voltage is named as asymmetrical SCR. Mostly
used in current source inverters.

19. Vacuum Diodes

Vacuum diodes consist of two electrodes which will acts as an anode and the cathode. Cathode is made up of tungsten
which emits the electrons in the direction of anode. Always electron flow will be from cathode to anode only. So, it acts like
a switch. If the cathode is coated with oxide material then the electrons emission capability is high. Anode is a bit long in
size and in some cases their surface is rough to reduce the temperatures developing in the diode. The diode will conduct
in only one case that is when the anode is positive regarding to cathode terminal. The symbol is as shown in figure:

20. PIN Diode

The improved version of the normal P-N junction diode gives the PIN diode. In PIN diode doping is not necessary. The
intrinsic material means the material which has no charge carriers is inserted between the P and N regions which increase
the area of depletion layer. When we apply forward bias voltage the holes and electrons will pushed into the intrinsic layer.
At some point due to this high injection level the electric field will conduct through the intrinsic material also. This field
made the carriers to flow from two regions. The symbol of PIN diode is as shown below:

PIN Diode Applications:

1.
Rf Switches: Pin diode is used for both signal and component selection. For example pin diodes acts as rangeswitch inductors in low phase noise oscillators.
2.
Attenuators: it is used as bridge and shunt resistance in bridge-T attenuator.
3.
Photo Detectors: it detects x-ray and gamma ray photons.

21. Point Contact Devices

A gold or tungsten wire is used to act as the point contact to produce a PN junction region by passing a high electric
current through it. A small region of PN junction is produced around the edge of the wire which is connected to the metal
plate which is as shown in the figure.

In forward direction its operation is quite similar but in reverse bias condition the wire acts like an insulator. Since this
insulator is between the plates the diode acts as a capacitor. In general the capacitor blocks the DC currents when the AC
currents are flowing in the circuit at high frequencies. So, these are used to detect the high frequency signals.

22. Gunn Diode

Gunn diode is fabricated with n-type semiconductor material only. The depletion region of two N-type materials is very
thin. When voltage increases in the circuit the current also increases. After certain level of voltage the current will
exponentially decrease thus this exhibits the negative differential resistance. It has two electrodes with Gallium Arsenide
and Indium Phosphide due to these it has negative differential resistance. It is also termed as transferred electron device.
It produces micro wave RF signals so it is mainly used in Microwave RF devices. It can also use as an amplifier. The
symbol of Gunn diode is shown below:

IR LED - An IR LED (infrared light emitting diode) is a solid state lighting (SSL) device that emits light in

the infrared range of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. IR LEDsallow for cheap, efficient production
of infrared light, which is electromagnetic radiation in the 700 nm to 1mm range.
Infrared LED chips with different wavelengths can be applied in extensive devices, for example:

1. Infrared LED chip with wavelength of 940nm: suitable to be used in remote controller, such as remote
controllers for household appliances.
2. 808nm: suitable to be used in medical treatment appliances, space optical communication, infrared
illumination and the pumping sources of the solid-state lasers.
3. 830nm: suitable to be used in the automated card reader system in freeway.
4. 840nm: suitable to be used in colored zoom infrared waterproof video camera.
5. 850nm: suitable to be used in video cameras that are applied in digital photography, monitoring system,
door phone, theftproof alarm and so on.
6. 870nm: suitable to be used in video cameras in marketplace and crossroad.
Symbol

Name

Description

Diode

Diode allows current flow in one direction only (left to right).

Zener Diode

Allows current flow in one direction, but also can flow in the reverse direction when
above breakdown voltage

Schottky
Diode

Schottky diode is a diode with low voltage drop

Varactor /
Varicap
Diode

Variable capacitance diode

Tunnel Diode

Light
Emitting
Diode (LED)

LED emits light when current flows through

Photodiode

Photodiode allows current flow when exposed to light

SIGNAL DIODE

Types of Diodes

Many different types of diodes today are in use in electronics.

The different kinds each have their own specialized uses. Some diodes, such as zener diodes, function as voltage
regulators because when reverse bias is fed it above a certain point, the diode maintains a constant voltage across its
terminals. Other diodes, such as varactors, function as variable capacitors, because the junction capacitance changes in
response to the reverse-bias voltage supplied to the diode.
We will now go over the main types of diodes and what their use is.

Zener Diodes

A Zener Diode is a special type of diode that is used most extensively as a

voltage regulator; this is because, in reverse bias, once the reverse voltage
supplied to a zener diode reaches its breakdown voltage, referred to as VZ, the voltage across the diode remains constant
at this voltage even if the current through the diode continues to increase or vary. With this constant voltage across its
terminals, a load just has to be connected in parallel with the zener diode to receive this steady voltage. Zener diodes can
provide many different types of steady voltages, as they are manufactured with many different levels of breakdown
voltages.

Schottky Diodes
A schottky diode is a diode that has a very low forward-voltage drop and very fast switching times. The fast switching
times makes them useful in applications of fast clamping and high-frequency applications approaching the gigahertz
range.

Shockley Diodes
A shockley diode is another diode which is used primarily for switching applications. The shockley diode has an inherent
trigger voltage. If the voltage applied across it is lower than the trigger voltage, the diode does not switch on and has
extremely high resistance in a circuit. If the voltage is applied is greater than the trigger voltage, then the shockley diode
switches on and has very low resistance.

Varactors

A varactor is a diode whose junction capacitance can be altered with an applied reverse voltage.
For this reason, a varactor is also called a variable capacitance diode (also it's called a varicap). A
varactor's capacitance varies as the applied reverse voltage to it changes. As the applied reverse
voltage increases, the width of its junction increases, which decreases its capacitance. Conversely,
as the applied reverse voltage decreases, the width of its junction decreases, which increases
capacitance.
The capacitance changes which varactors allow make them of broad use in oscillator circuits, where
capacitance needs to be tuned to a precise capacitance value. Therefore, varactors have
widespread use in tuning circuits where a change in capacitance tunes the circuit.

LEDs
The LED, which stands for Light-Emitting Diode, is one of the most popular and known type of diode. It is a diode which
emits light when it receives sufficient forward current flowing through it.

LEDs come in many different types of colors and types. There are blinking LEDs which flashes on and off a certain
amounts of times per unit time. There are tri color LEDs, which can emit two different colors depending on which
lead receives positive voltage. And there are infrared LEDs which emit infrared light, which are used heavily in
remote controls.

Laser Diodes
Laser diodes are diodes that emit a very narrow wavelength spectrum and, thus, can focus radiation to a spot as
small as 1micrometer in diamteter. Compared to LEDs, laser diodes have very quick response times and a narrow
beam spectrum. Laser diodes are used in CD players, CD-ROM drives, and other optical storage drives. They are also
used in laser printers, laser fax machines, laser pointers, bar code scanners, and high-performance
imagers.

Photodiodes

A photodiode is a diode which generates a current when exposed to light. In utter darkness, they act as
an open circuit, allowing no current to pass through. When the light they are exposed to becomes bright,
they conduct current across from their cathode to anode. Photodiodes, like zener diodes, connect to a
circuit in reverse bias. This means that the cathode of the diode is connected to the positive voltage and
the anode to the negative voltage. When the light intensity increases, current flows from the cathode to anode.
Current increases with light intensity.
Photodiodes have very fast response times (in the nanoseconds).

Fast Reovery Diodes

Fast recovery diodes are diodes which have quick
recovery times.
One important task which a diode has many times in a
circuit to rectify AC signals so that they can become DC signals, to power devices which need DC voltage. The normal
frequency coming out of a US outlet is 60Hz. A certain amount of finite time is required for a diode to recover from each

AC signal cycle to the next. This is the time it takes for a diode to turn off when the polarity of the applied voltage is
reversed. This is normally just a fraction of a second. In low-frequency applications, the recovery time of a diode is not
particularly significant, since the cycles are not very fast. However, in high-frequency applications, each successive cycle
happens quicker and quicker. Therefore, it becomes necessary for a diode to recover quicker. The diode recovery time
becomes crucial.
A fast recovery diode is a diode which can recover quickly from each AC cycle polarity reversal. A conventional diode
could produce erratic output in these high-frequency situations. A fast recovery diode ensures much more accurate
representation and signal integrity when dealing with high-frequency signals.