What are the main applications of semiconductor diodes?

Electronic circuit application

In almost all electronic circuits, semiconductor diodes are used. The use of semiconductor diodes in the circuit can protect the circuit and prolong the life of the circuit. The development of semiconductor diodes has made integrated circuits more optimized and has played an active role in various fields. Diodes play many roles in integrated circuits, maintaining the normal operation of integrated circuits. The following briefly introduces the role of diodes in the following four circuits.

(1) Switching circuits use the unidirectional conductivity of diodes in digital and integrated circuits to turn on or off the circuit. This technology has been widely used. The switching diode can protect the circuit well, prevent the circuit from being burnt out due to short circuit and other problems, and can also realize the function of the traditional switch. Another characteristic of switching diodes is the fast switching speed. This is unmatched by traditional switches.

(2) Limiting circuit

In electronic circuits, limiter circuits are commonly used to process various signals. It is used to selectively transmit part of the signal within a preset level range. Most diodes can be used as a limiter, but sometimes a dedicated limiter diode is needed, such as when protecting an instrument.

(3) Voltage stabilizing circuit

Zener diodes are usually used in voltage stabilizing circuits. It is a surface junction silicon semiconductor diode manufactured by a special process. This special diode has a relatively high impurity concentration and a large charge density in the space charge region, which is easy to form a strong electric field. When the reverse voltage across the Zener diode reaches a certain value, the reverse current increases sharply, causing reverse breakdown.

(4) Variable capacitance circuit

In varactor circuits, varactor diodes are commonly used to realize automatic frequency control, tuning, frequency modulation, and sweep oscillation of the circuit.

Industrial product application

After years of unremitting efforts of scientists, the application of semiconductor diode light has been gradually promoted. Light-emitting diodes are widely used in indicator lights of various electronic products, light sources for optical fiber communication, indicators and lighting of various meters. Many characteristics of light-emitting diodes are unmatched by ordinary light-emitting devices. The main characteristics are: safety, high efficiency, environmental protection, long life, fast response, small size, and strong structure. Therefore, the light-emitting diode is a light source that meets the requirements of green lighting.

Light-emitting diodes are widely used in many fields. Here are a few main applications:

(1) Application in electronic products

Light-emitting diodes are generally used as screen backlights in electronic appliances or for display and lighting applications. From large LCD TVs, computer displays to media players MP3, MP4, and mobile phones, LEDs are used as screen backlights.

(2) Application in automobiles and large machinery

Light-emitting diodes are widely used in automobiles and large machinery. Light-emitting diodes are used in turn signals, interior lighting, mechanical equipment instrument lighting, headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights in automobiles and large-scale machinery and equipment. Mainly because of the fast response and long service life of light-emitting diodes (generally, the service life of light-emitting diodes is longer than that of automobiles and large machinery).

(3) Application in coal mine

Compared with ordinary light-emitting devices, light-emitting diodes have the characteristics of high efficiency, low energy consumption, long life, and strong luminosity. Therefore, light-emitting diodes are used in equipment such as miners' lamps and underground lighting. Although it has not yet been fully popularized, it will be widely used in the near future. Light-emitting diodes will replace ordinary light-emitting devices in coal mine applications.  

(4) Decorative lights in the city

In today's prosperous business era, neon lights are an important symbol of urban prosperity, but neon lights have many shortcomings, such as not having a long lifespan. Therefore, replacing neon lights with light-emitting diodes has many advantages, because compared with neon lights, light-emitting diodes not only have a longer life, but also have the characteristics of energy saving, easy drive and control, and no maintenance. The replacement of neon lights by light-emitting diodes will be the inevitable result of the development of lighting equipment.