diode
A diode is an electronic component that allows current to flow in only one direction. It is a two-terminal device that has a cathode (negative) and an anode (positive) terminal. When a voltage is applied across the diode in the forward direction, current flows through the diode, but in the reverse direction, the diode blocks the current.
The basic operation of a diode is based on the properties of a semiconductor material. A semiconductor material is a material that has an electrical conductivity between that of a conductor (such as copper) and an insulator (such as rubber). When a semiconductor material is doped with impurities, it becomes either an n-type semiconductor (which has excess electrons) or a p-type semiconductor (which has holes or lacks of electrons).
A diode is made by joining a p-type semiconductor with an n-type semiconductor, which is called a p-n junction. The p-n junction acts as a one-way valve for the flow of current. When a positive voltage is applied to the p-type side and a negative voltage is applied to the n-type side, the p-n junction is forward-biased, and current flows through the diode. But when the voltage is reversed, the p-n junction is reverse biased, and the diode blocks the current.
Diodes are commonly used in electronic circuits for various applications, such as rectification, voltage regulation, and signal conditioning. Some common types of diodes include the rectifier diode, Zener diode, Schottky diode, and light-emitting diode (LED).
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