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Resource: Diode Tutorial

From American Microsemiconductor, Inc.
 

 

In this discussion the term diode and rectifier will be used interchangeably; however, the term diode usually implies a small signal device with current typically in the milliamp range; and a rectifier, a power device, conducting from1 to 1000 amps or even higher.

Products & Services
General-purpose diodes are electric components that conduct electric current in only one direction, functioning similarly to a one-way valve. Search by Specification | Learn more about General Purpose Diodes
Zener diodes are PN junction devices that are designed to operate in the reverse-breakdown region.   Search by Specification | Learn more about Zener Diodes
Varactor diodes are p-n junction diodes that are designed to act as a voltage controlled capacitance when operated under reverse bias. Search by Specification | Learn more about Varactor Diodes
Schottky diodes in their simplest form consist of a metal layer that contacts a semiconductor element. The metal / semiconductor junctions exhibit rectifying behavior (i.e., the current passes through the structure more readily with one polarity than the other). Search by Specification | Learn more about Schottky Diodes
Diode arrays are composed of multiple discrete (usually unconnected) diodes on a single silicon chip. Diode arrays are important semiconductor products because they save assembly time and improve reliability over individually packaged diodes. In general, diode arrays use four or more diodes in a single package. Search by Specification | Learn more about Diode Arrays
Product Announcements
American Microsemiconductor, Inc. - Diodes, All Types of diodes, We Have Your Diode
In this discussion the term diode and rectifier will be used interchangeably, a low current rectifier implies a diode,and a high current or power device, conducting from 1 to 1000 amps or even higher,... (read more)
HV Components/CKE - 3000V Surface Mount, SMA Packaged Rectifier
This is the first true surface mount high voltage diode available in the industry. Other currently available products are too expensive and are made by adding end caps to existing axial leaded... (read more)
ROHM Semiconductor, USA LLC - AC/DC Converters Low 7mW Standby Power Consumption
ROHM's BP5074 series AC/DC converters have a power consumption of 7mW during standby (equivalent to ΒΌ the amount of conventional products) and operate at less than 50mW during operation under lighter... (read more)
Photonic Products Ltd. - Tiny laser diode packs invisible punch
Photonic Products has introduced the Sanyo DL-8142-201 830nm high power, infrared wavelength laser diode with an optical output power of 150mW which is supplied in a tiny 5.6mm package. (read more)
Photonic Products Ltd. - Powerful, Sensitive 405nm Blue-Violet Laser Module
Photonic Products Ltd has launched a 25mW version of their hugely popular 405nm (blue-violet) Photon laser diode modules with TTL modulation option. (read more)
American Microsemiconductor, Inc. - Zener Diodes from AMS
The Zener diode provides an accurate reference voltage and has many applications and uses. (read more)
Fieldpiece Instruments, Inc. - Model LT17 Series Digital Multimeter
Temperature compensation on internal ceramic substrate measures temperatures accurately, even when ambient temperatures are changing fast. K-type thermocouple plugs directly into meter. No adapter... (read more)
American Microsemiconductor, Inc. - COMMON DIODE APPS: Steering & free-wheeling by AMS
Diodes are frequently referred to by their function in a circuit rather than their parameters or part number. Two examples are parts ordered as free- wheeling or as steering. These terms do not... (read more)
Littelfuse, Inc. - SP03-3.3 SPA-Low Distortion Overvoltage Protection
Littelfuse Inc. announced an expansion to the SP03-x overvoltage suppression device series, designed for low distortion overvoltage protection of data lines and interface circuits in Ethernet, T3/E3,... (read more)
 
Topics of Interest
CHAPTER LIST Chapter 2: Diode Rectifier Circuits Chapter 3: Phase-Controlled Rectifier Circuits The electrical energy produced by utility companies is in the form of alternating current... (Read More)
A rectified voltage (or current) is a voltage with a DC value not equal to zero and without any change in polarity.  A pure sine wave has a DC (or average) value of zero because the signal... (Read More)
4.9 OP-AMP APPLICATIONS USING DIODES The major limitation of an ordinary diode, which leads to the principle of using diodes with op-amps, is that an ordinary diode cannot rectify voltages below V r... (Read More)
9.11 The Backward Diode This is essentially the same thing as the tunnel diode, only the doping is a little lighter. It is called a backward diode because everything is the other way round. It has... (Read More)
This article addresses the effects of remotely operating a diode laser via a transmission line. Transmission lines are widely used to transport an electrical driving signal (usually a current) from a... (Read More)
See more product announcements for General Purpose Diodes
New Zigbee Technology from Freescale

New Zigbee Technology from Freescale
Mouser Electronics, Inc.


Diodes, Rectifiers, General Purpose Diodes Arrays

Diodes, Rectifiers, General Purpose Diodes Arrays
American Microsemiconductor, Inc.


JAN-qualified diodes

JAN-qualified diodes
Aeroflex / Metelics


11 See more product announcements for General Purpose Diodes