Module- 05

SPECIAL PURPOSE
DIODES
Contents-
✓ Characteristics and operation of Zener Diode and

✓ Application as a voltage regulator.

✓ Basic and structure of LED.

✓ Application of LED in indicative and lighting displays.

INTRODUCTION-
Diodes are small two-terminal electronic components that are designed to conduct
current in one direction. There are many types of diodes available: Light Emitting Diode,
Laser diode, Avalanche diode, Zener diode, Schottky diode, Photodiode, and PN junction
diode. PN junction diode is basic diode.
P-N junction diodes are also called rectifier diodes. P-N junction diodes are made of
two layers, in which one layer is doped with P-type semiconductor material and the other
layer with N-type semiconductor material. The combination of both P and N-type layers
forms a junction known as the P-N junction. Hence, the name P-N junction diode.

Forward Bias Reversed Bias Characteristics

INTRODUCTION-
The most common application of diodes are as switch and rectification. The rectifier
diodes are used in power supplies to convert a.c. voltage into d.c. voltage. But rectification
is not all that a diode can do. A number of specific types of diodes are manufactured for
specific applications in this fast developing world.
Some of the more common special-purpose diodes are-
✓ Zener diode
✓ Light-emitting diode (LED)
✓ Photo-diode
✓ Tunnel diode
✓ Varactor diode and
✓ Shockley diode.
ZENER DIODE-
A Zener diode is a type of PN junction diode that is designed to conduct in both
forward and reverse directions. It has heavily doped regions and is mainly used to conduct
current in the reverse direction.
A Zener diode is a special purpose p-n junction diode that is designed to operate in
the reverse direction. When reverse voltage applied across the Zener diode (anode terminal
is negative w.r.t cathode terminal) and the potential reaches the Zener Voltage (knee
voltage), the junction breaks down and the current flows in the reverse direction. This effect
is known as the Zener Effect.
Figure shows the symbol of Zener diode.

Zener diode have two terminals anode (A) and cathode (K). Anode is positive
terminal while cathode is negative terminal. Zener diode can be biased/work in two modes-
✓ Forward bias
✓ Reverse bias
ZENER DIODE-
Forward biased-
In forward biased, the positive terminal of the battery
is connected to the p-type material and the negative terminal
of the battery is connected to the n-type material. Under no
voltage or unbiased condition, the p-n junction diode does not
allow the electric current.

If we increase forward voltage of Zener diode by some amount of voltage

the depletion region slightly decreases. Hence, a very small electric current due to minority
charge carriers flows in the p-n junction diode which is called leakage current.
If the voltage applied on the p-n junction diode is further increased, then even more
number of free electrons and holes are generated in the p-n junction diode. This large
number of free electrons and holes further reduces the depletion region (positive and
negative ions). Hence, the electric current in the p-n junction diode increases. Thus, the
depletion region of a p-n junction diode decreases with increase in voltage. In other words,
the electric current in the p-n junction diode increases with the increase in voltage.
ZENER DIODE-
Reversed biased-

When the reverse voltage is applied to the Zener diode, the depletion layer is
increased slightly but not as wide as the regular pn-junction diode. If the value of the reverse
voltage increases, the positive terminal repels the holes in the P-region, and the negative
terminal repels the electrons in the N-region, making the depletion region conductive. There
is no current flow when no voltage is applied, and the diode does not conduct.
However, when a voltage that exceeds the breakdown voltage is applied, the diode
begins to conduct and allows current to flow. The breakdown of the depletion regions is
called the Zener breakdown, and the voltage at which the breakdown occurs is known as the
Zener voltage.
ZENER DIODE-
V-I characteristics of Zener diode-
The VI characteristic of the Zener diode is shown in the figure below. When the
diode is connected in forward bias, this diode work like a normal diode. But When a reverse
voltage is applied across the diode. initially a small reverse saturation current Io flows across
the diode. As the reverse voltage is increased, at a certain value of reverse voltage, the
junction will be breakdown and drastically a large reverse current flow through the device.
This breakdown is called Zener breakdown. The voltage at which this breakdown occurs is
called Zener voltage.
ZENER DIODE-
Zener diode as voltage regulator-
A voltage regulator is an electronic circuit that provides a stable DC voltage
independent of the load current, temperature and line voltage variations.

The zener diode is used as a Shunt voltage regulator for regulating voltage across
loads. The Zener diode is connected parallel to the load to make it reverse bias, and once the
Zener diode exceeds knee voltage, the voltage across the load will become constant. As long
as input voltage Vin is greater than zener voltage VZ , the zener operates in the breakdown
region and maintains constant voltage across the load.

Consider the Zener diode connected in series with resistor RS (Current limiting
resistor) across the load RL which is connected across unregulated input voltage Vin.
ZENER DIODE-
Figure shows the Zener diode as voltage regulator in which VZ is voltage across Zener
diode, RL is load resistance and Vout is constant output voltage across load resistance.
As voltage Vin is applied then current I flows through RS, RS is known as series current
limiting resistor which limits the input current I. The series current I is divided in two part which
is given as-
I = IZ + IL
The zener diode will maintain constant voltage across the load in spite of changes in
load current or input voltage. The operation of Zener as voltage regulator is explained in
following way-
Line regulation- Line regulation refers to the ability of a voltage regulator to maintain a constant
output voltage despite variations in the input voltage.
As the input voltage Vin increases, current I also increases. The sum IZ+IL also increases
which cause increase in Vout. But Zener diode increase its current IZ to keep IL constant to
provide Vout = constant. Also as Vin decreases which cause I to be decrease, IZ+IL also decrease
causes Vout decreas. The Zener diode decrease its current IZ to keep IL constant to maintain Vout.
ZENER DIODE-
Load regulation- Load regulation measures how well the output voltage of a regulator can
maintain its value when the load current changes inspite input voltage constant.
As Vin is constant and the load current increases, Vout also increases. The zener
current increases so that current through resistance RS is constant. As output voltage = Vin –
IRS, and I is constant, therefore, output voltage remains unchanged. The reverse would be
true should the load current decrease.
Advantages-
✓ The Zener diode is less expensive than another diode
✓ This diode can be used in regulate and stabilize the voltage in a circuit
✓ These diodes have a high-performance standard
✓ Control the flowing current
✓ Compatibility and obtainability
✓ It can be used in a smaller circuit that would not work with any larger form of the current
regulation.
✓ They are compatible with the most system due to their lower cost and greater control
ZENER DIODE-
Disadvantages-
✓ Zener diode cancels out voltage by applying an even larger voltage in the reverse
direction wasting electricity in the process.
✓ A Zener diode has a relatively poor regulation ratio and is generally not as good as the
transistor.

Applications-

✓ As a voltage regulator
✓ Protects from overvoltage
✓ Used in clipping circuits
✓ Used to shift voltage
✓ As switch
✓ Voltage clamping
✓ Peak Detector
LIGHT EMMITING DIODES-
Light-emitting diodes are made by using elements like gallium, phosphorus and
arsenic. By varying the quantities of these elements, it is possible to produce light of
different wavelengths with colours that include red, green, yellow and blue.

For example, when a LED is manufactured using gallium arsenide, it will produce a
red light. If the LED is made with gallium phosphide, it will produce a green light.

Principle-
LED or Light Emitting Diode is a light source device. It releases light when current
passes through it. The LED concept is based on a semiconductor device where holes and
electrons recombine to produce energy in the form of photons.
Construction-
When light-emitting diode (LED) is forward biased as shown in Figure, the electrons
from the n-type material cross the pn junction and recombine with holes in the p-type
material. Recall that these free electrons are in the conduction band and at a higher energy
level than the holes in the valence band. When recombination takes place, the recombining
electrons release energy in the form of heat and light.
LIGHT EMMITING DIODES-
In germanium and silicon diodes, almost the entire energy is given up in the form of
heat and emitted light is insignificant. However, in materials like gallium arsenide, the
number of photons of light energy is sufficient to produce quite intense visible light.

Working & Characteristics-

Fig. shows the schematic symbol for a LED. The arrows are shown as pointing away
from the diode, indicating that light is being emitted by the device when forward biased.
Although LEDs are available in several colours (red, green, yellow and orange are the most
common).
LIGHT EMMITING DIODES-
The characteristics of LED can be drawn between current flowing through LED and
forward voltage across LED. Figure shows tcharacteristics of the LED. It is clear from the
graph that the intensity of radiated light is directly proportional to the forward current of
LED.

The forward voltage ratings of most LEDs is from 1V to 3V and forward current
ratings range from 20 mA to 100 mA. In order that current through the LED does not exceed
the safe value, a resistor RS is connected in series with it as shown in Fig. The input voltage
is VS and the voltage across LED is VD.
COLOURED LIGHT EMMITING DIODES-
A Light Emitting Diode that emits one color when forward biased and
another color when reverse biased is called a multicolor RGB LED.
Multicolor RGB LEDs actually contain two PN
junctions that are connected in reverse-parallel i.e. they are in
parallel with the anode of one being connected to the cathode
of the other. If a positive potential is applied to the terminal as
shown below, the PN junction on the left will light. Note that
the device current passes through the left PN junction.

If the polarity of the voltage source is reversed as shown in the figure below, the PN
junction on the right will light. The direction of device current has reversed and is now
passing through the right PN junction.

LED form a multi colour as they switch fast back and forth between polarities.
ADV & DISADV OF LIGHT EMMITING DIODES-
Advantages- Diasdvantages-

➢ It is energy-efficient ➢ Highly susceptible to damage if

➢ Superior light quality improperly designed
➢ Highly durable and easy to maintain ➢ An expensive option
➢ Require little to no warm-up time ➢ Require special controllers
➢ Easily portable ➢ An unreliable light quality
➢ Lower electricity bills ➢ No individual replacement
➢ It offers varying color intensity ➢ Susceptible to high voltage damage
➢ Its application is pretty versatile ➢ Harms of blue light
➢ LED lights last long ➢ Limited range of illumination
➢ Low maintenance
➢ Easily dimmable
➢ More reliable
➢ LED lights are environment friendly
APPLICATIONS OF LIGHT EMMITING DIODES-

➢ Decorative Light
➢ Picture phone and Digital watches
➢ Flashlights
➢ Indicator lamp in electrical equipment
➢ LED Tlevision
➢ Traffic signals
➢ Medical Devices
➢ Automotive headlights
➢ Camera Flashes
➢ Imaging Inspection
➢ Optical Fiber Communications
➢ Data Communication
APPLICATIONS OF LED-
The LED is a low-power device. The power rating of a LED is of the order of
milliwatts. This means that it is useful as an indicator but not good for illumination.
Probably the two most common applications for visible LEDs are-
✓ A power indicator
✓ Seven-segment display.

As a power indicator-
A LED can be used to indicate whether the power is on or not. Figure shows the
simple use of the LED as a power indicator. When the switch S is closed, power is applied to
the load. At the same time current also flows through the LED which lights, indicating power
is on. The resistor RS in series with the LED ensures that current rating of the LED is not
exceeded.
APPLICATIONS OF LED-
Seven segment Display-
LEDs are often grouped to form seven-segment display. Figure shows the front of a
seven segment display. It contains seven LEDs (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) shaped in a figure of
8. Each LED is called a segment. If a particular LED is forward biased, that LED or segment
will light and produces a bar of light. By forward biasing various combinations of seven
LEDs, it is possible to display any number from 0 to 9.
For example, if LEDs A, B, C, D and G are lit (by forward biasing them), the display
will show the number 3. Similarly, if LEDs C, D, E, F, A and G are lit, the display will show
the number 6. To get the number 0, all segments except G are lit.
Figure (b) shows the schematic diagram of
seven-segment display. External series resistors
(220Ω) are included to limit currents to safe levels.
Note that the anodes of all seven LEDs are
connected to a common positive voltage source of +5
V. This arrangement is known as common-anode type.
In order to light a particular LED, say A, we
ground the point A in Fig. It forward biases the LED
A which will be lit.