Universal and Pulse Diodes: General Information

Universal called high-frequency diodes used for rectification, modulation, detection and other non-linear conversion of electrical signals whose frequency does not exceed 1 GHz. Diodes made by a variety of technologies (point, microalloy, etc.) are universal, their main difference from typical rectifier diodes is the short time of reverse recovery. Diodes of this group can be used, for example, in rectifiers operating at high frequencies, in detectors, modulators, converters, limiters, and other devices.

Pulsed are diodes that have short transient durations and are designed to work as key elements when exposed to pulses of short duration or for large values ​​of pulsed current. Such diodes can be used in trigger and generator circuits, limiters, switches, and other pulse devices. As pulsed, point and microalloy diodes are successfully used, whose performance is increased by selecting dopant, which reduces the lifetime of minority carriers. Such an admixture to an n-type semiconductor can be, for example, gold.

Some special types of diodes possess the best impulse characteristics, using various physical effects and properties of semiconductors to reduce the time of transients that occur when the diode is switched. Such diodes primarily include: charge-accumulating diodes, Schottky diodes, Mott diodes, pin diodes.

In general, there is no clear boundary for the parameters and applicability of certain types of semiconductor diodes. For example, Schottky diodes can be used in rectifiers, and as pulse switches, and as detector and mixing diodes of the microwave range. In turn, many universal diodes work well in pulsed modes, and microwave diodes can sometimes be used in low frequency bands.