Lab Manual 5

Voltage drop of a diode-Construction of diode V-I characteristics curve

Apparatus Required
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

DC power supply
1N4001 diode
1k resistor
VOA meter
Breadboard
Connecting wires

Theory
The diode is a device formed from a junction of n-type and p-type semiconductor material like silicon,
germanium shown in Fig 1. The lead connected to the p-type material is called the anode and the lead
connected to the n-type material is the cathode. In general, the cathode of a diode is marked by a solid
line on the diode. The primary function of the diode is rectification.

Fig 1. PN junction diode

Diode Biasing
The term bias refers to the use of a dc voltage to establish certain operating conditions for an electronic
device. Depending on the magnitude and polarity of the applied voltage the diode is said to be:

I.

Forward Biased, Anode voltage is greater than the Cathode voltage

Reverse Biased, Cathode voltage is greater than the Anode voltage,

Diode in forward Bias

Forward bias is the condition that allows current through the pn junction. Fig 2a shows a dc voltage
source connected across a diode in the direction to produce forward bias. This external bias voltage is
designated as Vbias. The resistor, R, limits the current to a value that will not damage the diode. Notice that
the negative side of Vbias is connected to the n region of the diode and positive side is connected to the p
region. This is one requirement for forward bias. A second requirement is that the bias voltage. Vbias, must
be greater than the barrier potential. The diode is a short circuit, like a closed switch, when voltage is
applied in the forward direction.

Fig. 2a Forward Biasing

II.

Fig. 2b Reverse Biasing

Diode in reverse bias:

Reverse bias is the condition that essentially prevents current through the diode. Fig 2b shows a dc
voltage source connected across a diode in the direction to produce reverse bias. This external bias
voltage is designated as Vbias just as it was for forward bias. Notice that the positive side of Vbias is
connected to the n region of the diode and the negative side is connected to the p region. The diode is like
an open switch, when the voltage is applied in the reverse direction.

Fig.4 V-I characteristics curve of diode

Procedure:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Design the circuit on the bread board according to the circuit diagram as shown in Fig 2a.
Vary voltage for getting several readings.
Observe the output.
Write observations and calculations and draw the graph.
Now, change the direction of voltage that is being applied and get the readings in reverse bias.

Table 1 Measure value of R1= _______________________

Series No.

VINPUT[V]
0
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2
2.4

VR1[V]

VDIODE[V]

IDIODE[V]=VR1/R1

VR1[V]

VDIODE[V]

IDIODE[V]=VR1/R1

Measurement in reverse bias

Series No.

VINPUT[V]

Plot Graph of VDIODE (x-axis) Vs IDIODE (y-axis)

Write your observation in the space provided below