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Electronics - II Semiconductor devices1
Semiconductor Devices
 SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES:-
In addition to rectifier diode there are other kinds of semiconductor diodes, which are
manufactured for special applications are:
1) Zener diode 2) Light emitting diode (LED) 3) Photo-diode
4) Varactor diode 5) Schottkey diode 6) Tunnel diode
Let us see their structures, symbols and applications in brief.
1) Zener Diode:-
Zener Diode is designed to get stable voltage and it is operated in reverse bias only.
By adjusting the doping level, zener diodes of different voltages from 2 to 200V and
with different wattage are manufactured. Fig. shows it’s operating I – V
characteristics, a simple zener regular and its symbol. The Zener gives useful
working in bias only. In forward bias it conducts just rectifier diode, it is therefore
very important to know about its reverse characteristics.
As Shown in the fig a reverse bias voltage is applied across. Initially, as voltage
across zener increases the current through zener is very small and at a particular
voltage ( )zV zener goes into breakdown. At this voltage current through zener
suddenly increases but voltage across it remains constant. For further increase in
voltage zener keeps voltage across it constant and it draws more current through
itsel. Below ( min)zI current, zener is not operated and above ( max)zI it may get
damaged. Zener should be operated in between zI min and zI max.
 Avalanche and Zener effect:-
A large Current through zener at breakdown is because of these two effects. In zener
effect; when voltage is breakdown voltage or more, large number of electron hole
pairs are generated because they are pulled from covalent bonds therefore current
suddenly increase this is called as ‘zener effect’.
In avalanche effect; because of reverse applied voltage minority current carriers are
accelerated in the depletion layer. When they are accelerated, collisions with other
atoms take place. This generates new electrons, which are again accelerated, so
more atoms get ionised and thus a bunch of electrons or a avalanche of electrons is

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produced which increases the reverse current through zener. This is called as
‘avalanche effect’ we get zener diode characteristics because of both effects. Zener
Diodes are available in different voltages and wattage e.g. 7.4V/1W, 6V/2W,
24V/2Wetc.
 Applications:
Zener diode is used in DC power supplies as a voltage regulator or in special circuits
to stabilize the voltage.
 ZENER REGULATOR:
Zener diode is used for voltage regulation; it keeps voltage constant when there is
change in input voltage within certain limit. It also keeps voltage constant when there
is change in load current within certain limit. Following example shows its regulation
action.
 Example:-
Suppose required output voltage is 15 V and if there is change in input voltage from
19 to 22 volts. The value of Rs is calculated; suppose it is 200  and zener is 15
V/1W.
Case 1 :
If Vin = 20 V then current through zener is suppose 25 milliamp therefore voltage
drop across series resistance Rs will be
Case 2:
Now suppose Vin increases to 22 V as we. Know current through zener will increase
from 25 mA to 35 mA. Now voltage drop across Rs will be
RS z sV = I ×R V Vin V
=35mA 200 7V =22V - 7V =15V
RS  
 
Case 3:
Let us consider decrease in supply to 19 V. Now current through zener will decrease
from 35 mA to 20mA
RS z s RSV = I ×R V Vin - V
=20mA 200 = 4V =19 V - 4 V = 15 V
 

RS z s
0 in RS
V = I ×R
= 25 mA 200 = 5 V
V V V = 20 V 5 V = 15 V

   

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2) Light Emitting Diode (LED):
This diode plays an important role in indicators and displays. LED is prepared with
gallium (Ga), arsenic (As) and phosphorus (p). When light –emitting diode is in
forward bias it emits light instead of heat generated by a normal diode. When P-N
junction is forward biased in case of L.E.D some of the holes combine with electrons
of N-region and some of the electrons from N combine with holes of P-region. Each
recombination radiates light or photos. LED’s are available in three colours Red,
Green & Yellow. Their working voltage drop is 1 to 2 V and current is 5 to 25 mA.
 Applications :
They are used in 7 segment displays as panel indicators, in watches, calculators,
digital meters and as a switch –ON indicators on power supply panels. A series
resistance is always required with LED to limit the current because if excess current
flows through it, LED may get damaged. (The value of resistance is calculated by
ohms law R = V/I).
3) Photo Diode:
The function of this diode is opposite to LED, when light is incident on it, it
conducts. It is manufactured with cadmium Selenide (CdSe), cadmium cadmium
sulphide (Cds) in addition to germanium and silicon. Fig. shows its symbol. The
current through photodiode depends on the light intensity. Photo-diode is normally
operated in reverse bias. When it is exposed to light due of energy of light, electron-
hole pairs are generated therefore current flows through it. Photodiode is a
transducer converts light energy into electrical energy.
 Applications :
In computer punch card; light detectors, sound reproduction of film projector and
light operated switches.

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 COMPARISON:-
LED Photo Diode
1. It emits light when conducts.
2. It is operated in forward bias.
3. Symbol
4. Light intensity depends on current
through it.
5. Used as indicators or displays.
6. Material used Gallium, Arsenic
Phosphorus.
1. It conducts when light is incident
on it.
2. It is operated in reverse bias.
3. Symbol
4. Current through it depends on
light intensity.
5. Used as light sensor or transducer.
6. Cadmium selenide, Cadmium
Sulphide.
4) Varactor Diode:-
Varactor means (variable capacitance) whose junction capacitance varies with applied
reverse bias voltage. In this diode P-N junction acts two parallel plates and potential
barrier as a dielectric. As we have discussed earlier the width of potential barrier
varies with applied reverse bias therefore the distance between two plates varies.
This variation will change its equivalent capacitance. The symbol of varactor diode
shows its junction capacitance. Mechanically tuned capacitors can be replaced these
varactor diodes. Varactor diode in parallel with an inductor can form a tuned circuit.
 Applications:
Varactor diodes are used in tuned circuits and in FM modulator circuit.
5) Tunnel Diode:
This is a special type of diode manufactured with Silicon, Germanium, Gallium,
Arsenide and Sallium Antimony. Tunnel diode shows negative resistance
characteristics like diode, and therefore it is used as a switch.
 Application –
It is used in amplifiers and in very high frequency oscillators.

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6) Schottkey Diode:-
The operation of Schottkey diode is similar to ordinary P-N diode but the voltage drop
across Schottkey diode is much less than that of P-N diode the schottkey diode is
manufactured with metal- semiconductor junction. Advantages of schottkey diode is
its fast switching action it takes very small time to switch from ON to OFF to ON state
than ordinary P-N Diode.
 Applications :
In digital IC’s, detectors and frequency mixers.
 THYRISTORS:
Thyristor name is originated from old glass tube device thyratron. Since the working
principle is similar to thyratron these semiconductor devices are called as “solid state
thyratrons” or simply thyristors. These are many thyristors, so a separate family of
these devices is formed. Thyristors are being commonly used in power control circuits,
which are called as power devices.
 Features of Thyristors:
i) These are solid- state semiconductor control devices.
ii) There are more than two P-N junctions.
iii) They are operated in switching applications.
iv) Large power handling capacity, high cost, but size is comparatively small.
v) They can be operated with high AC – DC voltage and with large current.
 SCR – SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIER:-
Silicon controlled rectifier is a four layer P – N – P – N solid state thyratron which has
three electrons anode, cathode and gate. SCR is basically is diode but it differs from
normal diode because
i) In SCR control rectification is possible by gate current but in normal diode there is
no gate terminal; diode conducts at 0.6 V or 0.3 V.
ii) In SCR four semiconductor regions are used, while in case of normal diode only two.
iii)SCR has three junctions while diode only one.
iv) SCR can handle very large current than normal diode.
Fig. shows it’s symbol, construction and I–V characteristics curves.

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 Operation:-
SCR is used in rectifier circuits to control DC power to the load. When forward bias
voltage is applied across SCR it’s switching ON state depends on the gate current and
(V )FBR forward break over voltage.
i) If gI = 0 or gate is open and forward bias voltage ( )FV is applied across it then as
shown in fig. initially current through SCR is very small which is due to minority
carriers called as leaked current. The leakage current flows up to particular
voltage, but at a very high voltage FBRV , SCR suddenly goes into conduction. Refer I
– V characteristics, it is shown by a dotted line current through SCR suddenly
increases the SCR is to be fired. The dotted line also shows that the voltage drop
across it very low.
ii) If now gate current is increased gl(I ) SCR gets fired earlier, refer fig. it is fired at
FBR1V , which is less than FBRV .
iii) As gate current increases, for 2Ig SCR is fired gate loses its control on SCR, even if
gate current is made zero SCR does not change its state. Only way to make SCR
OFF is either makes voltage across it zero or apply reverse bias. Once SCR is made
ON, current through SCR must be above particular current called as “holding
current.” Let us see specifications of SCR.
(i) Forward Breakover Voltage (VFBR):
It is the forward breakdown voltage at which SCR suddenly goes into conduction or
SCR gets fired. VFBR depends on the gate current magnitude.
(ii) Holding current (IH):
It is the minimum required current through SCR to keep SCR into ON state. If
current through SCR goes below holding current then SCR become OFF.
(iii) Firing Angle () Alpha:
It is the angle at which SCR gets fired, it depends on gate current.
 Applications of SCR:
By adjusting the firing angle of SCR, DC average power can be controlled so that in
following circuits SCR is used to control
(i) DC power
(ii) Speed of DC motor.
(iii)Light Dimmer circuit
(iv) In TV circuits SCR is used in switch mode power supply (SMPS).

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 DIAC:
Disc is another type of thyristors, its special feature is, it’s bi-directional conduction.
Di-means two it has terminal, but the polarity is not important because. It conducts in
both cycles of AC supply. Therefore sometimes it is called, as bi- directional Thyristor
while SCR, is unidirectional, it conducts only in forward bias. Fig … shows the I-V
characteristics of Diac and its symbol. In Diac doping level of each region is equal.
When voltage across Diac increases up to + FBR, current through SCR is very small, it is
negligible that indicates that Diac is in cut off. But when voltage exceeds breakdown
voltage (+VFBR), Diac suddenly goes into conduction and voltage drop across it becomes
very small as it I illustrated by dotted line.
Similarly if reverse voltage is applied across Diac, then up to breakdown voltage Diac is
nonconducting and it (-VFBR) it goes in conduction. It shows that Diac can be fired in
both direction but its firing is fixed because there is no gate terminal. Diac is
equivalent to two zener diodes connected in anti- parallel. Once Diac is fired only way
to make it OFF is by reducing the current below holding current.
Application:-
Normally, Diac is used as a triggering device for Triac.
 TRIAC:-
Triac is designed to operate in both directions. Triac is a bi- directional thyristor like
two SCRs are connected in anti- parallel. A common gate terminal control both. Thus
Triac is called as full wave device, it has three terminals MT1 (Main terminal 1) MT2
(Main terminal 2) and a common gate terminal.
Fig. shows its schematic symbol, structure and two SCR equivalent circuits. Triac can
be operated in four different modes according to the polarity of voltage across Triac and
gate.

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 I-V Characteristics of Triac:
As mentioned earlier Triac is operated in both direction and gate current control its
firing. Fig… shows its performance in both directions for different gate currents.
The I-V characteristic of Triac is the combined characteristics of two SCRs connected
in opposite direction. it shows that gate current control the firing of Triac. As gate
current increases the required forward Breakover voltage VFBR in both the direction
decreases. Similarly, when Triac is fired the voltage drop across Triac becomes very
small indicated by dotted lines and gate looses its control once it is fired.
Application:
(1) AC power control
(2) Fan regulator circuit
(3) Light Dimmer