Question
Explain, with the help of a circuit diagram, the working of a p-n junction diode as a half-wave rectifier.
Solution
Circuit for p-n junction diode as half-wave rectifier is given below:
During the positive half cycle: The p-n junction is forward biased i.e the forward current flows from p to n, the diode offers a low resistance path to the current. Thus we get output across-load i.e. a.c input will be obtained as d.c output.
During the negative half cycle: The p-n junction is reversed biased i.e the reverse current flows from n to p, the diode offers a high resistance path to the current. Therefore, output across the load is not obtained.
