What is Shockley diode?

PNPN diode
The Shockley diode (named after physicist William Shockley) is a four-layer semiconductor diode, which was one of the first semiconductor devices invented. It is a PNPN diode, with alternating layers of P-type and N-type material.

What are Shockley diodes used for?

Shockley diodes are used mainly for switching applications. The two main important applications of shockley diode as relaxation oscillator and trigger switch are discussed below.

What is Shockley equation discuss?

Shockley derives an equation for the voltage across a p-n junction in a long article published in 1949. Later he gives a corresponding equation for current as a function of voltage under additional assumptions, which is the equation we call the Shockley ideal diode equation.

What are the vi characteristics of a Shockley diode?

The below figure shows the VI characteristics of shockley diode for conducting and non conducting states where ON-state current flows only when the voltage is more than the break over voltage VBO. When the anode is made negative with respect to the cathode, junctions J1 and J3 are reverse biased and junction J2 is forward biased.

Can a Shockley diode be operated in reverse biased condition?

Therefore, shockley diode should never be operated in reverse biased condition with a voltage equal to the reverse breakdown voltage. Once the shockley diode is ON it acts like a closed switch offer a very low resistance to the current flow.

How did the Shockley diode equation get its name?

The Shockley diode equation or the diode law, named after transistor co-inventor William Shockley of Bell Telephone Laboratories, gives the I–V (current-voltage) characteristic of an idealized diode in either forward or reverse bias (applied voltage):

Which is the base emitter junction of Shockley diode?

The base-emitter junction of T2 is junction-3 (J3). When the diode is to be operated in forward biasing then J1 and J3 are forward biased, and junction J2 is reversed biased. The Shockley diode is operated in forward biased mode only.