Electronics: Semiconductors and PN Junction Diode

Electronics: Semiconductors and PN Junction Diode free download

Fundamentals of Semiconductors | PN Junction Diode | Diode Rectifier Circuits | Clipper | Clamper | Zener Diode

A semiconductor is a material whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator. Semiconductors have unique properties that make them ideal for controlling electrical current. Their conductivity  can be manipulated by adding impurities (doping) or by applying electrical  fields, light or heat.

Types of Semiconductors:

1. Intrinsic semiconductors: Pure semiconductors (e.g. Si and Ge).

2. Extrinsic semiconductors: Doped semiconductors with added impurities to increase conductivity.

     a. n-type semiconductors: Doped with elements that added extra electrons (negative charge carriers).

     b. p-type semiconductors: Doped with elements that create holes (positive charge carries)

Semiconductors are the foundation of modern electronics used in diodes, transistors, ICs and LEDs.

A diode is a two terminals electronics device made from a semiconductor. Its primary function is to allow current flow in one direction and block it in opposite direction. A diode is created by joining a p-type semiconductor with an n-type semiconductor, forming a PN junction.

Working principle of a PN junction diode:

a. Forward Bias: When the positive terminal of a battery is connected to the p-side and the negative terminal is connected to the n-side, the diode allows current to flow.

b. Reverse Bias: When the polarity is reversed, the diode blocks the current to flow.

Applications of a PN junction diode are rectification, Clipper, clamper, protection circuits, signal demodulation and light emission. We will discuss rectification and wave shaping circuits applications in detail in this course.

In this course, you will learn about

Section-1: Introduction to Semiconductors

1. Classification of solids on the basis of energy bands

2. Types of semiconductors

3. Equilibrium carrier concentration

4. Direct and indirect band gap semiconductors

5. Carrier Transport

6. Einstein’s Relation in semiconductors

7. Example of semiconductors

Section-2: PN Junction Diode

8. Working of PN junction diode

9. Built in potential

10. Width of depletion region

11. Diode current-voltage relation

12. V-I characteristics of diode

13. Example of PN junction diode

14. Diode equivalent circuit

15. Load line analysis

16. Small signal model of diode

17. Example of diode’s circuit

Section-3: Diode Rectifier Circuits

18. Rectifier circuits

19. Half-wave rectifier

20. Full-wave rectifier

22. Centre tapped transformer rectifier

21. Half wave rectifier with capacitor filter

23. Full wave rectifier with capacitor filter

24. Example of a Centre tapped full-wave rectifier

25. Bridge rectifier Vs Centre tapped transformer rectifier

Section-4: Wave Shaping Circuits

26. Wave shaping circuits

27. Clipper Circuits

28. Series positive clipper

29. Series negative clipper

30. Series positive clipper with positive bias

31. Series positive clipper with negative bias

32. Series negative clipper with positive bias

33. Series negative clipper with negative bias

34. Shunt positive clipper

35. Shunt negative clipper

36. Shunt positive clipper with positive bias

37. Shunt positive clipper with negative bias

38. Shunt negative clipper with positive bias

39. Shunt negative clipper with negative bias

40. Dual clipper

41. Clamper circuits

42. Positive clamper

43. Negative clamper

44. Positive clamper with positive bias

45. Positive clamper with negative bias

46. Negative clamper with positive bias

47. Negative clamper with negative bias

48. How can you create a dual clipper?

Section-5: Introduction to Zener diode

49. Zener diode

50. V-I characteristics of Zener diode

51. Zener diode Vs Normal diode

52. Temperature Effects

53. Specifications of Zener diode

54. Basic Zener regulator circuits

55. Example of Zener diode circuit

56. Advantages, disadvantages and applications of Zener diode