What is an advantage of a germanium diode over silicon?
However, the germanium diode has one major advantage over Si. Ge has higher electron and hole mobility and because of this Ge devices can function up to a higher frequency than Si devices. The germanium diode is also superior to silicon diode in terms of energy loss, current loss, etc.
Why silicon is used in semiconductor devices?
Silicon material has been widely used in semiconductor device fabrication because of its low cost and its producibility of high quality silicon dioxide needed for impurity diffusion and surface passivation processes.
How does a semiconductor diode both germanium and silicon work?
Carbon, silicon and germanium (germanium, like silicon, is also a semiconductor) have a unique property in their electron structure — each has four electrons in its outer orbital. This allows them to form nice crystals. The four electrons form perfect covalent bonds with four neighboring atoms, creating a lattice.
What is the main function of a diode?
A diode is a device that allows current to flow in one direction but not the other. This is achieved through a built-in electric field. A diode is a device that allows current to flow in one direction but not the other.
Where are silicon diodes used?
A crystal diode that uses silicon as a semiconductor; used as a detector in ultra-high- and super-high-frequency circuits. Also known as silicon detector.
What is use of diode?
The most common function of a diode is to allow an electric current to pass in one direction (called the diode’s forward direction), while blocking it in the opposite direction (the reverse direction). Forms of rectifiers, diodes can be used for such tasks as extracting modulation from radio signals in radio receivers.
Can I use a higher rated diode?
Yes, higher voltage rating is fine. It just means more safety margin against mains transients (which is good).