Exp No (1): The Diode Device Second Year
Electronic Lab
Experiment No (1): The Diode Device.
1.1 Objects:
[Link] the characteristics of a diode.
[Link] become familiar in diode connection circuit, and the results of every
state of the diode in the circuit; that is forward biased or reveres biased.
[Link] the increasing and decreasing of the voltage and the current of the
diode in each state.
[Link] that the diodes conducting the current in one direction and block it
in another direction.
1.2 Theory:
Diode: is a half connecting device that conducts the current in one
direction and block it in another. We can call diode as a simple switch. It is
a simplest semiconductor device consists of silicon or germanium. It has
two type materials: the first one called n-type material (Cathode), the
second one called p-type material (Anode). Each material is doped in a
specific atom to make the silicon or the germanium more conductive
Forward applied voltage (V > 0v):
This case when we applied the positive terminal to the anode and the
negative terminal to the cathode.
Reverse applied voltage (V < 0v):
In this case the cathode will be positive and shield the holes away, and the
anode will be negative and shield the electrons away.
VD: for Si = 0.7v and for Ge = 0.3v.
Consider the following circuits of the diode:
DI ODE DI ODE
+ R
+ R
V
V
Figure (1) Reverse
biased circuit Figure (2) forward biased circuit
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Exp No (1): The Diode Device Second Year
Electronic Lab
As you see from (figure (1) and figure (2)) the diode has two cases:
Figure (1) represent a Reverse biased circuit that mean there is no
current follow in the circuit but there is very small current (in micro or
nano) and this current called the leakage or saturation current (IS);
comes from the movement of the electrons through the positive
terminal in the cathode and the holes drive throw the negative terminal
of the applying voltage anode. in this case the diode represents an open
circuit.
Figure (2) represent a forward biased circuit and the diode is passing the
current through it. There is a conducting current in the circuit and the
diode represents a short circuit.
1.3 Equipments:
1. Resistors: 1 k ohm.
2. Equivalent silicon small-signal diode. (1N4001)
3. Power supply.
4. Voltmeter.
5. Connection wires.
1.4 Procedure:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure (3) with R=1KΩ.
2. Apply the DC voltages listed in table (1) to the diode as shown in figure (3)
.Measure the corresponding current and record the values in table (1).
DI ODE
+ R
V
Figure (3) forward biased circuit
Table No.1 (The DC voltages applied to the forward biased
circuit)
DC Power Supply Voltage Diode Forward Current Diode Voltage
1-II
Exp No (1): The Diode Device Second Year
Electronic Lab
0.2V
0.4V
0.5V
0.7V
1V
3V
5V
8V
10V
3. Plot the resulting diode curve (diode current versus voltage).
4. By the use of the graph and equation No.1 determine the barrier potential
voltage and the forward resistance RF, and then record these two values in
the table No.2.
RF=ΔVd/ΔId (equation (1))
Table No.2 (The barrier potential voltage and the forward
resistance)
Diode barrier potential, VB
Diode forward resistance RF
1.5 Discussion
1. Define the diode?
2. Under what conditions will a junction diode turn on?
3. List the differences between Si and Ge diodes?
1.6 Review Questions
1. When an ohmmeter is used to test a diode, a very low resistance (but
not zero) in one direction means that the diode is
(a) Open (b) shorted (c) forward biased (d) reverse biased
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Exp No (1): The Diode Device Second Year
Electronic Lab
2. In this experiment, the measured diode barrier potential is approximately
(a) 0.3 V (b) 0.6 V (c) 0.9 V (d) 1.2 V
3. For which region of the experimental diode curve does the diode look like
an open circuit?
(a) Diode voltages less than the barrier potential.
(b) Diode voltages greater than the barrier potential.
4. For the region of the diode curve greater than the diode's barrier potential,
(a) The curve is essentially horizontal
(b) The diode forward resistance approaches an open circuit
(c) The diode voltage increases rapidly
(d) The diode current increases rapidly
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