Diode definition: Learn about diodes

Learn about diodes, their definition, symbol, types like LED and Zener, and various applications in electronics, including rectifiers and voltage regulation. Zener diodes, for instance, are designed with specific breakdown voltages for different applications. Another common type of diode is a light-emitting diode, or LED. Light emitting diodes generate visible light when current passes between the anode and cathode though a space called the p-n junction. Diodes are electronic components that can be made of two types of semiconductor materials: silicon and germanium. When the anode voltage is more positive than the cathode voltage, the diode is forward-biased and conducts easily with a low-voltage drop. diode, an electrical component that allows the flow of current in only one direction. In circuit diagrams, a diode is represented by a triangle with a line across one vertex. The most common type of diode uses a p - n junction.