Diode: Difference between revisions
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[[File:640px-Zener_Diode.jpg|360px|thumb|right|Figure 1. A diode.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (July 21, 2015). ''Diode'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Zener_Diode.JPG/1280px-Zener_Diode.JPG</ref>]] | [[File:640px-Zener_Diode.jpg|360px|thumb|right|Figure 1. A diode.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (July 21, 2015). ''Diode'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Zener_Diode.JPG/1280px-Zener_Diode.JPG</ref>]] | ||
<onlyinclude>A '''diode''' is an [[electrical component]] | <onlyinclude>A '''diode''' is an [[electrical component]] that allows [[electric current]] to flow in one direction but not the other. This property is essential to the conversion of [[alternating current]] into [[direct current]], which is why diodes are commonly found in [[AC adapter]]s and other rectifier [[circuit]]s.</onlyinclude> The most common type of diode nowadays is the semiconductor diode (see Figure 1).<ref name = "a">''Introduction to Diodes and Rectifiers'' [Online]. Available: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-3/introduction-to-diodes-and-rectifiers/</ref><ref>''The P-N Junction Diode'' [Online]. Available: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/diod.html</ref> | ||
Additionally, diodes can give off light, and these are called [[light emitting diode]]s, or LEDs. Commercial [[LED light bulb]]s have been available since the 1960s, but technical developments and improvements in the 1990s and 2000s greatly boosted their popularity.<ref>''Technical Articles'' [Online]. Available: http://www.marktechopto.com/the-history-of-leds-and-led-technology.cfm</ref><ref>''LEDs and OLEDs'' [Online]. Available: http://www.edisontechcenter.org/LED.html</ref> This product helps reduce [[energy]] consumption, and avoids the [[mercury]] contamination of [[CFL light bulb|compact florescent bulbs]]. Another key advantage is that LEDs almost never burn out the way traditional light bulbs do. The physics of these diodes are quite closely related to [[photovoltaic cell]]s. LEDs take electricity and make [[light]], while photovoltaic cells take light and make electricity. | Additionally, diodes can give off light, and these are called [[light emitting diode]]s, or LEDs. Commercial [[LED light bulb]]s have been available since the 1960s, but technical developments and improvements in the 1990s and 2000s greatly boosted their popularity.<ref>''Technical Articles'' [Online]. Available: http://www.marktechopto.com/the-history-of-leds-and-led-technology.cfm</ref><ref>''LEDs and OLEDs'' [Online]. Available: http://www.edisontechcenter.org/LED.html</ref> This product helps reduce [[energy]] consumption, and avoids the [[mercury]] contamination of [[CFL light bulb|compact florescent bulbs]]. Another key advantage is that LEDs almost never burn out the way traditional light bulbs do. The physics of these diodes are quite closely related to [[photovoltaic cell]]s. LEDs take electricity and make [[light]], while photovoltaic cells take light and make electricity. | ||
For more information about diodes, visit [[diode operation]] or [http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/#chpt-3 ''All About Circuits'']. | For more information about diodes, visit [[diode operation]] or [http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/#chpt-3 ''All About Circuits'']. | ||
== For Further Reading == | |||
For further information please see the related pages below: | |||
*[[Diode operation]] | |||
*[[Direct current]] | |||
*[[AC to DC adapter]] | |||
*[[Photovoltaic cell]] | |||
*[[Electric current]] | |||
* Or explore a [[Special:Random| random page!]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Uploaded]] | [[Category:Uploaded]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:43, 4 August 2026
Figure 1. A diode.[1]
A diode is an electrical component that allows electric current to flow in one direction but not the other. This property is essential to the conversion of alternating current into direct current, which is why diodes are commonly found in AC adapters and other rectifier circuits. The most common type of diode nowadays is the semiconductor diode (see Figure 1).[2][3]
Additionally, diodes can give off light, and these are called light emitting diodes, or LEDs. Commercial LED light bulbs have been available since the 1960s, but technical developments and improvements in the 1990s and 2000s greatly boosted their popularity.[4][5] This product helps reduce energy consumption, and avoids the mercury contamination of compact florescent bulbs. Another key advantage is that LEDs almost never burn out the way traditional light bulbs do. The physics of these diodes are quite closely related to photovoltaic cells. LEDs take electricity and make light, while photovoltaic cells take light and make electricity.
For more information about diodes, visit diode operation or All About Circuits.
For Further Reading
For further information please see the related pages below:
- Diode operation
- Direct current
- AC to DC adapter
- Photovoltaic cell
- Electric current
- Or explore a random page!
References
- ↑ Wikimedia Commons. (July 21, 2015). Diode [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Zener_Diode.JPG/1280px-Zener_Diode.JPG
- ↑ Introduction to Diodes and Rectifiers [Online]. Available: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-3/introduction-to-diodes-and-rectifiers/
- ↑ The P-N Junction Diode [Online]. Available: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/diod.html
- ↑ Technical Articles [Online]. Available: http://www.marktechopto.com/the-history-of-leds-and-led-technology.cfm
- ↑ LEDs and OLEDs [Online]. Available: http://www.edisontechcenter.org/LED.html
