Saint Louis University

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

LABORATORY MANUAL

Name: ALMOITE, CZAR DENVER D. Date: MARCH 22, Score:

2024
Group #: 3

Experiment No: 4

INTRODUCTION TO SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES

TLO 2: Develop skills in testing the semiconductor p-n junction diode using a
VOM, and demonstrate its I-V characteristic curve.

I. INTRODUCTION

Diodes are basic unidirectional semiconductor devices that will only allow
current to flow through them in one direction only, acting more like a one-
way electrical valve, (Forward Biased Condition). Diodes are made from a
single piece of Semiconductor material which has a positive “P-region” at
one end and a negative “N-region” at the other, and which has a resistivity
value somewhere between that of a conductor and an insulator.

A diode has a low resistance to current flow and allows easy electrical
passage when it is forward-biased, or when the voltage across it allows
current to flow in the intended direction. However, the diode has a high
resistance and effectively blocks current flow when it is reverse-biased,
which occurs when the voltage attempts to force current in the opposite
direction.

In electronics, diodes are used in many different applications such as voltage

regulation, switching, protection circuits, signal modulation, and signal
demodulation. They are available in different types, including the common
silicon diode, The Schottky diode, Zener diode, light-emitting diode (LED),
and others. Based on their distinct electrical properties, each type of diode is
intended for a particular use.

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II. MATERIALS/ EQUIPMENT NEEDED

DC Power Supply : 0-25V

1 Digital VOM, 1 Analog VOM
1N4007 Silicon PN junction Diode
R1 - 100 Ω
Experiment Board K
Connecting leads

III. PROCEDURES AND RESULTS

Objective A: Identify the anode and the cathode and test a semiconductor
diode by performing a forward-reversed resistance/voltage check by using
a VOM.

1. A. Examine at least four silicon diodes and identify the cathode and anode
terminals. Describe how the cathode of a diode is marked.

- The cathode is marked with an arrow symbol on the diode's body.

The arrow points towards the cathode terminal.

2. A. Set the digital VOM to the diode test mode.

Record the polarity of the VOM leads
Red lead/probe: POSITIVE
Black lead/probe: NEGATIVE

B. Set the VOM to the diode test function. Connect the common lead
(negative) of the VOM to the cathode end of one of the silicon diodes, and
the Ohm’s lead (positive) to the anode end, as shown in figure 1.

VOM

Figure 1

C. Measure the voltage across the diode. 0.545 V

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ACTUAL PICTURE OF THE VOM

D. What does this data imply? FORWARD BIASED DIODE

E. Reverse the VOM connections to the diode, so the common lead is

connected to anode, and the Ohm’s lead to the cathode, as shown in
Figure 2

VOM

Figure 2

F. Measure the voltage across the diode. 0 V

ACTUAL PICTURE OF THE VOM

G. What do the above data and results imply? REVERSE BIASED DIODE

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Objective B. Observe how the voltage drop and current through the load
resistor is affected by the supply voltage.

3. A. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 3. Be sure the polarity of the ammeter
and the voltmeter are correct.

Source Voltage A
0-25vDC R1 100Ω VDC

Figure 3

B. Gradually increase the source voltage until the measured voltage across R 1
is that stated in Table 1.
C. Record current through R1. Record the current value in mA, up to 3
decimal places, as shown on the ammeter display.
D. Repeat to obtain all measurements.

Table 1
VR1 (V) IR1 (mA) Reading VR1 IR1
Reading
1 0 0.00776 6 2.5 0.2165
2 0.5 0.0447 7 3 0.2658
3 1 0.0909 8 3.5 0.3046
4 1.5 0.1264 9 4 0.354
5 2 0.1659 10 4.5 0.391
* Readings @pt. 1 to @pt. 10
I=0776/100 = 0.00776 mA
I=4.47/100 = 0.0447 mA
I=9.09/100 = 0.0909 mA
I=12.64/100 = 0.1264 mA
I=16.59/100 = 0.1659 mA
I=21.65/100 = 0.2165 mA
I=26.58/100 = 0.2658 mA
I=30.4/100 = 0.3046 mA
I=35.4/100 = 0.354 mA
I=39.1/100 = 0.391 mA

READING 1: READING 2: READING 3:

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READING 4: READING 5: READING 6:

READING 7: READING 8: READING 9: READING 10:

E. Plot Table 1 data: Current (y-axis) vs Voltage (x-axis

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Objective C. Demonstrate characteristic curve of a semiconductor diode

when the diode is forward-biased, and when it is reverse-biased.

4. A. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 4. Be sure the polarity of the

ammeter, voltmeter, and the diode are correct.

Es R1 100Ω
0-25V
VDC

Figure 4

B. Gradually increase the source voltage Es until the voltmeter indicates the
diode voltage enlisted on Table 2. Measure the forward bias current through
the diode for each diode voltage.

Table 2
Reading Vdiode(mV) Idiode Reading Vdiode Idiode
1 0 1.8 9 450 5.8
2 50 2.6 10 500 6
3 100 3 11 550 6.5
4 150 3.5 12 600 7
5 200 3.7 13 650 7.5

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6 250 4.1 14 700 8.7

7 300 4.6 15 750 9.3
8 400 5.6 16 800 9.9

0.697 READING 1
0.713 READING 2
0.718 READING 3
0.722 READING 4
0.725 READING 5
0.732 READING 6
0.737 READING 7
0.746 READING 8
0.774 READING 9
0.752 READING 10
0.754 READING 11
0.757 READING 12
0.760 READING 13
0.765 READING 14
0.769 READING 15
0.771 READING 16

PICTURES OF THE READINGS ON THE ACTUAL VOM

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C. At what voltage does the diode start to conduct (the instant when current
through it increases abruptly)? 0.776 V

D. Plot Table 2 data: Current (y-axis) vs Voltage (x-axis)

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5. A. Using the same circuit shown in Figure 4, reverse the polarity of the
semiconductor diode and the voltmeter across it.
B. Gradually increase the source voltage Es until the voltmeter indicates the
diode voltage enlisted on Table 3. Measure the reverse bias current through
the diode for each diode voltage. Remember to set your ammeter to the
microampere range if the current is too small to be read.

Table 3.
Reading Vdiode(mV) Idiode Reading Vdiode Idiode
1 0 NO READING 9 450 NO READING

2 50 NO READING 10 500 NO READING

3 100 NO READING 11 550 NO READING

4 150 NO READING 12 600 NO READING

5 200 NO READING 13 650 NO READING

6 250 NO READING 14 700 NO READING

7 300 NO READING 15 750 NO READING

8 400 NO READING 16 800 NO READING

NO READING

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ACTUAL PHOTO OF THE VOM

C. Plot Table 3.

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Can not plot data because it has no reading

D. What does the readings in the Idiode column imply?

No reading when it turns to reversed biased

IV. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

ON TABLE 1:

As the voltage increases, the current produced will also increase accordingly.
Does creating an ascending straight line when plotted on an X and Y axis.

ON TABLE 2:

As the voltage increases, the current produced by the diode also increases.

ON TABLE 3:

If the diode is not conducting in either direction, it might be an open circuit,

meaning there's a break in the diode, or it's not connected properly.
Alternatively, the diode might be reverse-biased, meaning the voltage across
it is in the wrong direction to allow current flow. In this case, the diode should
block current, showing a zero reading on the VOM.

V. DISCUSSION

By testing semiconductor diodes, people can understand the basic behavior

of p-n junctions. Learners can comprehend ideas like forward and reverse
bias, threshold voltage, and diode breakdown by seeing how diodes conduct
or block current under different bias conditions.

A diode's I-V characteristic curve can be used to illustrate its behavior and
provide more context. The relationship between the voltage (V) applied
across the diode and the current (I) that flows through it is depicted by this
curve. Comprehending this curve facilitates the analysis of diode
performance, covering its reverse leakage current and forward conduction
voltage drop.

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VI: CONCLUSION

To sum everything up, mastering the use of a Volt-Ohmmeter (VOM) to

test semiconductor p-n junction diodes is crucial to comprehending the
foundational ideas of circuit analysis and electronics. People can obtain
important insights into the behavior of these crucial components and
their uses in a variety of electronic circuits by becoming skilled in the
techniques of diode testing.

A more in-depth understanding of a diode's working principles, such as

forward and reverse bias behaviors, voltage-current relationships, and
the diode's capacity to correct and regulate electrical signals, can also
be gained by examining its I-V characteristic curve.

Examining the I-V characteristic curve of a diode can also provide a

deeper understanding of its operation, including its forward and
reverse bias behaviors, voltage-current relationships, and ability to
correct and regulate electrical signals.

VI. REFERENCES

(A short note on semiconductor diodes. (2022, April 21). Unacademy.

https://unacademy.com/content/neet-ug/study-

material/physics/semiconductordiodes/#:~:text=Conclusion,to%20the%20battery's%20negative
%20terminal.

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