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Varactor Diodes: Aravind K R & Edwin Seby

Varactor diodes are p-n junction diodes that exhibit a variable capacitance effect when reverse biased. The depletion region between the p-type and n-type regions acts as a dielectric, and the capacitance decreases as the depletion region width increases with a higher reverse bias voltage. Varactor diodes are used in applications like frequency multipliers where a pumping voltage causes the capacitance to vary and generate harmonics of the pumping frequency. They provide advantages over conventional diodes such as lower noise, lower cost, higher reliability, and smaller size.

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Edwin seby
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96 views13 pages

Varactor Diodes: Aravind K R & Edwin Seby

Varactor diodes are p-n junction diodes that exhibit a variable capacitance effect when reverse biased. The depletion region between the p-type and n-type regions acts as a dielectric, and the capacitance decreases as the depletion region width increases with a higher reverse bias voltage. Varactor diodes are used in applications like frequency multipliers where a pumping voltage causes the capacitance to vary and generate harmonics of the pumping frequency. They provide advantages over conventional diodes such as lower noise, lower cost, higher reliability, and smaller size.

Uploaded by

Edwin seby
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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VARACTOR DIODES

BY
ARAVIND K R & EDWIN SEBY
INTRODUCTION
• Varactor diodes are p-n junction diodes which
provide a voltage variable junction capacitance in
microwave circuits when reverse biased.
• The varactor diode was named because of the
variable reactor or variable reactance or variable
capacitor or variable capacitance property of these
diodes.
• Also named as Varicap diodes
• They are specifically fabricated and optimized such
that they permits a high range of changes in
capacitance.
SYMBOL

Symbol Varactor Diode

The varactor diode symbol consists of the capacitor


symbol at one end of the diode that represents the
variable capacitor characteristics of the varactor
diodes.
WORKING

• Varactor Diode with P-N Junctoin and Variation of Capacitance with Variation in
Depletion Region Depletion Region of Varactor Diode

• The capacitance of a capacitor is directly


proportional to the area of the plates, as the area of
the plates increases the capacitance of the capacitor
increases.
• P-type region and N-type region are able to conduct
and thus can be treated as two plates.
• The depletion region between the P-type and N-type
regions can be considered as insulating dielectric.
Thus, it is exactly similar to the capacitor shown
above.
• If the varactor diode reverse voltage is increased,
then the depletion region size increases. Similarly, if
the varactor diode reverse voltage is decreased, then
the depletion region size decreases or narrows.
𝑉𝑅 −𝑛
Capacitance 𝐶𝑗 =𝐶0 (1 + )
𝑉𝐵

Where 𝐶0 − junction capacitance for zero bias


𝑉𝑅 − reverse bias voltage below breakdown
𝑉𝐵 − barrier potential
‘n’ is a constant whose values are 0.5 and 0.33 for
abrupt and linear graded p-n junction respectively.
• As the magnitude of reverse bias voltage is
increased, the depletion layer width 𝑾𝒅 will increase
and the junction capacitance 𝐂𝐣 will decrease.
𝟏
𝑪𝑱 α
𝑾𝒅
EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT

• 𝐶𝑗 is the junction capacitance and 𝑅𝑗 is the junction


reverse resistance.
• Since 𝑅𝑗 is very large, the simplified model is a series
combination of 𝐶𝑗 and 𝑅𝑠 (diode bulk resistance).
• The cut-off frequency at a given reverse voltage is
defined by
𝑓𝑐 = 1/2π𝑅𝑠 𝐶𝑗(𝑚𝑖𝑛)
• Due to skin effect, 𝑅𝑠 increases with increase in
frequency, and therefore the varactor is normally
used at frequencies below 0.2𝑓𝑐 .
Varactor Diode Characteristics
• Varactor diodes produces considerably less noise
compared to other conventional diodes.
• These diodes are available at low costs.
• Varactor diodes are more reliable.
• The varactor diodes are small in size and hence, they
are very light weight.
• There is no useful purpose of varactor diode
operated when it is operated in forward bias.
• Increase in reverse bias of varactor diode increases
the capacitance.
Characteristics of Varactor Diode
Varactor Diode Applications
1. Varactor diode frequency multiplier

• When an AC voltage(pumping voltage) 𝑉𝑝 = 𝑣𝑝 sinω𝑝 t


is applied to the reverse biased diode, the capacitance varies
(𝑉𝑅 +𝑣𝑝 sinω𝑝 𝑡) −𝑛
𝐶𝑗(𝑡) =𝐶𝑗𝑜 (1+ )
𝑉𝐵
Expanding in a harmonic series,
𝐶𝑗(𝑡) =𝐶0 +𝐶1 sinω𝑝 𝑡+𝐶2 sinω𝑝 𝑡+𝐶3 sinω𝑝 𝑡+…..

The diode current due to the above current varying


capacitance can be expressed as
𝑖(𝑡) =𝐼1 cosω𝑝 𝑡+𝐼2 cos2ω𝑝 𝑡+𝐼3 cos3ω𝑝 𝑡+…..

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