Special Purpose P-N Junction Diode
Chapter Name : Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices And Simple Circuits |
Sub Topic Code : 101_12_14_08_03 |
Topic Name : Special Purpose P-N Junction Diode |
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Sub Topic Name : Optoelectronic Junction Devices-Photodiode |
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Introduction
A photodiode is a type of photo detector capable of converting light into either current or voltage, depending upon the mode of operation.
Pre-Requisites:
Photodiode
Activity:
Silicon (Si) is the most widely used material in semiconductor devices.
Real Life Question:
What is Optoelectronic Junction?
Key Words / FlashCards
| Key Words | Definitions (pref. in our own words) |
|---|---|
| Optoelectronic Junction | Consists of a p-type and n-type region additional to the interaction between the electrons and holes in the semiconductor and light. |
Learning aids / Gadgets
| Gadgets | How it can be used |
|---|---|
| microprocessors | All transistor types can be used as the building blocks of logic gates, which are fundamental in the design of digital circuits. Transistors act as on-off switches; in the MOSFET, for instance, the voltage applied to the gate determines whether the switch is on or off. |
Real life uses :
Building circuits.
Places to visit :
Digital circuits.
Practical examples around us
| Examples | Explainations |
|---|---|
| Solar cells | Solar cells are typically illuminated with sunlight and are intended to convert the solar energy into electrical energy. |
What you learn in Theory:
Light absorption and emission in a semiconductor is known to be heavily dependent on the detailed band structure of the semiconductor.
What you learn in Practice:
Photodiodes and crystalline solar cells are essentially the same as the p-n diodes.