Varactor Diode Definition
Varactor Diode Definition
The conductive plates are good conductors of electricity so they easily allow electric current
through them. On the other hand, a dielectric is poor conductor of electricity so it does not allow
electric current through it but it allows electric field or electric force.
The positive and negative charges accumulated on both plates exert attractive force on each other.
This attractive force between the plates is nothing but the electric field between the plates.
We know that the capacitance is the ability to store electric charge. So at both plates, the charge is
stored. Thus, there exists a capacitance at both the plates.
What is varactor diode?
The term varactor is originated from a variable capacitor. Varactor diode operates only in reverse
bias. The varactor diode acts like a variable capacitor under reverse bias.
Varactor diode is also sometimes referred to as varicap diode, tuning diode, variable reactance
diode, or variable capacitance diode.
Varactor diode construction
The varactor diode is made up of the p-type and n-type semiconductor. In the n-type
semiconductor, free electrons are the majority carriers and holes are the minority carriers. So the
free electrons carry most of the electric current in n-type semiconductor. In the p-type
semiconductor, holes are the majority carriers and free electrons are the minority carriers. So the
holes carry most of the electric current in p-type semiconductor.
When a p-type semiconductor is in contact with the n-type semiconductor, a p-n junction is formed
between them. This p-n junction separates the p-type and n-type semiconductor.
At the p-n junction, a depletion region is created. A depletion region is a region where mobile
charge carriers (free electrons and holes) are absent.
The depletion region is made up of positive and negative ions (charged atoms). These positive and
negative ions does not move from one place to another place.
The depletion region blocks free electrons from n-side and holes from p-side. Thus, depletion
region blocks electric current across the p-n junction.
Varactor diode symbol
The symbol of a varactor diode is shown in the below figure. The circuit symbol of the varactor
diode is almost similar to the normal p-n junction diode.
Two parallel lines at the cathode side represents two conductive plates and the space between these
two parallel lines represents dielectric.
Photodiode
one component of reverse current in a diode is the flowof minority carriers. These carriers exist
because thermal energy keeps dislodgingvalence electrons from their orbits, producing free
electrons and holes in theprocess. The lifetime of the minority carriers is short, but while they exist,
theycan contribute to the reverse current.
When light energy bombards a pn junction, it can dislodge valenceelectrons. The more light striking
the junction, the larger the reverse current in adiode. A photodiode has been optimized for its
sensitivity to light. In this diode,a window lets light pass through the package to the junction. The
incoming lightproduces free electrons and holes. The stronger the light, the greater the numberof
minority carriers and the larger the reverse current.
Figure shows the schematic symbol of a photodiode. The arrowsrepresent the incoming light.
Especially important, the source and the seriesresistor reverse-bias the photodiode. As the light
becomes brighter, the reverse current increases. With typical photodiodes, the reverse current is in
the tens of microamperes.
OPTOCOUPLER
The Schottky diode operates only with majority carriers. There are no minority carriers and thus no
reverse leakage current as in other types of diodes. The metal region is heavily occupied with
conduction-band electrons, and then-type semiconductor region is lightly doped.
When forward-biased, the higher energy electrons in the n region are injected into the metal region
where they give up their excess energy very rapidly. Since there are no minority carriers, as in a
conventional rectifier diode, there is a very rapid response to a change in bias. The Schottky is a
fast-switching diode, and most of its applications make use of this property. It can be used in high-
frequency applications and in many digital circuits to decrease switching times. The LS family of
TTL logic (LS stands for low-power Schottky) is one type of digital integrated circuit that uses the
Schottky diode.
The forward series resistance characteristic and the reverse capacitance characteristic are
shown graphically in Figure for a typical pin diode.
The pin diode is used as a decontrolled microwave switch operated by rapid changes in
bias or as a modulating device that takes advantage of the variable forward-resistance
characteristic. Since no rectification occurs at the pn junction, a high-frequency signal can
be modulated (varied) by a lower-frequency bias variation. A pin diode can also be used in
attenuator applications because its resistance can be controlled by the amount of current.
Certain types of pin diodes are used as photo-detectors in fiber-optic systems.
What is a varistor?
Packages
Here are some examples of different packages which are often encountered. The block packages are used for higher
power ratings.
Disc Block
Characteristics
A voltage dependent resistor has a nonlinear varying resistance, dependent on the voltage applied. The impedance is
high under nominal load conditions, but will sharply decrease to a low value when a voltage threshold, the
breakdown voltage, is exceeded. They are often used to protect circuits against excessive transient voltages. When
the circuit is exposed to a high voltage transient, the varistor starts to conduct and clamps the transient voltage to a
safe level. The energy of the incoming surge is partially conducted and partially absorbed, protecting the circuit.
The most common type is the MOV, or metal oxide varistor. They are constructed of a sintered matrix of zinc oxide
(ZnO)
Applications
The nonlinear characteristic of the varistor make them ideal for use as surge protector devices. Sources of high
voltage transients can for example be lightning strikes, electrostatic discharges or inductive discharge from motors or
transformers. They are for example often used in surge protector power strips. Special types with a low capacitance
protect communication lines. These VDRs are useful for a wide variety of applications that can include: