How Many Types of Diodes are There

Introduction

Human civilization is progressing day by day and continues to make their life easier with the help of various electrical appliances. We use electric tools in our day-to-day life for our convenience. Instead of burning wood we now simply use electric gas for cooking, we use electric washing machines instead of our own hands to wash our cloth, we use bulbs and tube lights in our home and working place instead of the wood torch and this saga includes endless examples on and on and on. But the functioning of these electrical appliances is possible due to various components in it. Different electric appliances have different components but in them, a common component is there named - DIODE. The diode is present in almost every electrical appliance. Let's see about the diode in further detail.

What is a diode?

A diode is an electrical component present in almost every electrical appliance. It is a small device that allows the flow of current in the circuit. The diode allows current to flow only in one direction. Each Diode has two sides - anode and cathode. The cathode side represents the negative current flow while the anode side represents the positive current. The cathode side which circulates negative current is marked with a silver (generally) or any other colour band and the other anode side which circulates positive current remains general. The cathode side of the diode is marked with a line in the circuit which indicates that it blocks or does not allow the flow of positive current from that side.

The diode ensures the flow of current in one direction only in the circuit. It does not allow negative current from the anode(+) side and positive current from the cathode(-) side respectively. And we all know that current should be flowed in the whole circuit for the electric appliances to work. The side which allows the flow of current is known as the forward side and the current is forward biased which does not allow flow is known as the reverse side and the current is reverse biased in this case. In this way, it helps to protect electric appliances which could take damage from reverse current and converts the alternative current (A.C) into direct current (D.C) in the circuit.

Types of Diode:-

However, there also exists variety in diodes and each diode has some unique characteristics which make it different from others thus, they are classified into different types based on their nature and uses. Different types of diodes are as follows:-

1. PN Junction Diode- We can understand this type of diode from its name P-N i.e. Positive and negative which are the two regions of this diode. It allows current flow in one direction. Negative current can flow from n towards p but not from p to n and the same goes for positive current. It is used in radios, chargers, solar panels and low electric current devices.

2. Zener Diode - Zener diode basically allows current to flow backwards after a certain limit. It has set resistance for a side which if crossed, the flow of current in a backward direction is allowed. It is used in TV(Television) and FM (Frequency modulation) transmitters.

3. Schottky Diode - Schottky Diode is a type of diode which allows the flow of current after a force of low voltage as compared to a PN junction diode. This diode works from P to N direction. It requires 2-3 times less voltage power to allow the flow in the circuit. It is used mainly in appliances which require less switching time and faster flow of current.

4. Gunn Diode - This type of diode is different from other diodes and consists only of n-n sides and works on the Gunn effect discovered by a physicist named- J.B. Gunn. When current is applied from both sides it creates an electric field and produces waves. It is particularly used in microwaves.

5. Light emitting diode (LED) - This type of diode possesses the ability to produce light when current passes through it and has P and N junctions. When current passes from both sides, electron combines with holes and produce energy in the form of photons thus producing light. It is mainly used in tube lights.

6. Laser Diode - This type of diode works on the principle of the light-emitting diode and produces light. It works on the PN junction of the diode and produces light when the electrons and holes combine after the flow of current.

7. Photodiode - This type of diode works on the PN junction and converts the photons (light) into electric signals. It absorbs photons from the P side and provides a current form with the N side. It is generally used in solar panels

8. PIN Diode - In this type of diode, there is a semiconductor between the p and n regions of the diode. When the current has flowed from both sides the semiconductor produces a big electric field between the region of p and n.

9. Step recovery diode - This diode produces short pulses at the time and allows the forward current to flow more rapidly. It is used in the microwave.

Conclusion -

We often ignore the use of various small things in our day-to-day life. In this article, we came to know about the diode and its various types. There are also various types of diodes which exist but we have considered some basic and main ones. Rest which is not included falls into the sub-category of the above-mentioned diodes.