Schottky Diode Symbol, Applications, Advantages

Schottky Diode is an advanced version of normal PN Junction diode having a lot of advantages and important applications. In modern electronic devices, Schottky diodes are used. There are a lot of applications of Schottky Diode. Schottky Diode has many advantages over normal PN Junction Diode. In this article, you will find the symbol, applications, and advantages of Schottky Diode.

The other names of Schottky diode are Schottky Barrier Diode, Hot-Carrier Diode, Surface Barrier Diode, etc.

Schottky Diode Symbol

You can see the symbol of Schottky diode almost same as Zener Diode.

Construction of Schottky Diode

A PN junction diode is constructed by joining a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor. In PN Junction diode, the joining point of P-Type and N-type semiconductor called PN Junction.

The construction of Schottky Diode is almost the same as PN Junction diode, only the difference is P-type semiconductor is replaced by the metal such as aluminum. So, here the Junction is build by a metal layer and N-type semiconductor.

In Schottky diode, the junction is created by the joining of metal and N-type semiconductor material that is why it is called metal-semiconductor junction.

The Schottky diode is specially designed with metal replacing the p-type semiconductor for faster switching.

As here the p-type semiconductor is replaced by the metal, so the switching speed of the Schottky diode is very high and also the reverse recovery time is very low.

Schottky Diode Characteristics

Here you can see the difference between the V-I characteristics of Schottky diode and Normal PN Junction Diode.

You can see the forward voltage drop of Schottky diode is lower than the normal PN Junction Diode.

Also, you can see the reverse voltage rating of Schottky Diode is lower than the normal PN Junction Diode. So, it is clear that although the Schottky Diode provides very fast switching but have low voltage variation range.

Advantages of Schottky Diode over PN Junction Diode

The Schottky diode has great advantages over PN Junction diode which are explained below,

Switching Speed

The switching speed of Schottky Diode is very faster than normal PN Junction Diode. The low forward voltage drop, and using metal instead of P-type semiconductor increases the speed of the Schottky diode.

Forward Voltage Drop

The forward voltage drop of a normal PN Junction diode is 0.6V to 1.7V. But the forward voltage drop of Schottky diode is very low from 0.15V to 0.45V. The low voltage drop decreases the power loss and increases the switching speed of the Schottky Diode.

Reverse Recovery Time

The time is taken by a diode to switch from the conducting state to non-conducting state is called reverse recovery time.

The reverse recovery time of a normal PN Junction diode is several milliseconds to less than several nanoseconds. But in the case of Schottky diode, there is no reverse recovery time. The Schottky diode can switch instantly from conducting state to non-conducting state.

Junction Capacitance

The junction capacitance of Schottky diode is ver lower than a normal PN Junction Diode.

The other advantages of Schottky Diode

The other advantages of Schottky diode are,

1. Higher efficiency

2. Lower power loss

3. Smaller in package

4. low turn On voltage.

Disadvantages of Schottky Diode

1. Low reverse voltage rating. Maximum 200V reverse voltage rating Schottky diode available.

2. High reverse leakage current.

3. High cost than normal diode.

4. More heat generation as metal used.

5. Schottky Diode cannot be used for high voltage power processing applications.

Applications of Schottky Diode

The important applications of Schottky diodes are,

(1) Schottky Diodes are used in Digital audio mixer circuits.

(2) Schottky Diodes are used in high-frequency radio transmission applications.

(3) The Schottky diode has very important applications in switch mode power supply(SMPS)

(4) In Digital communication system, Schottky diodes are used.

(5) Schottky diodes are used in rectifier circuits also.

Why Schottky diode is suitable for high-frequency application but PN Junction Diode not?

As the Schottky diode has a very high switching speed, it is suitable for the high-frequency application. And as the PN junction diode has low switching speed that is why it is not suitable for the high-frequency application.

Read Also:

• [Main Difference] Between PN Junction Diode and Zener Diode
• How and Why [Zener Diode] Regulate Voltage in Reverse Bias?
• What is Diode? Types, Symbols and Applications of Diode
• [Main Purpose] of using Freewheeling or Flyback Diode
• [Main Difference] Between MOSFET and BJT
• [Actual Difference] between SCR and TRIAC Explained

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