Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 1

Chapter 26. diode

discrete semiconductor > single junction > diode

The term diode almost always means a semiconductor device, properly known as a PN junction diode, although the full term is not often used. It was formerly known as a crystal diode. Before that, diode usually meant a type of vacuum tube, which is now rarely used outside of high-wattage RF transmitters and some high-end audio equipment.

Other related components

• rectifier (See Rectification)
• unijunction transistor (See Chapter 27)
• LED (light-emitting diode) (Volume 2)

What It Does

A diode is a two-terminal device that allows current to flow in one direction, known as the forward direction, when the anode of the diode has a higher positive potential than the cathode. In this state, ...