Diode types Agilent Technologies manufactures

PIN Diode

A diode made by diffusing the semiconductor so that a thin intrinsic layer exists between the P and N-doped regions (positive-intrinsic-negative). Such diodes do not rectify at microwave frequencies but behave as variable resistors controlled by the applied DC bias.

PIN diodes are commonly used to make attenuator and switch circuits. Agilent Technologies manufactures PIN diodes.

Schottky Diode

A diode formed by the deposition of a metal layer on a semiconductor, creating a Schottky-barrier junction. The rectifying properties of a metal-semiconductor contact derive from the presence of an electrostatic barrier between the metal and the semiconductor. The resulting non-linear diode is similar to point-contact diodes and p-n junction diodes.

Schottky diodes are commonly used to create high frequency mixers, detectors, or clamps. Agilent Technologies manufactures Schottky diodes.

Diode types Agilent Technologies doesn't manufacture

Gunn Diodes | IMPATT Diodes | PN Junction Diodes | Silicon Rectifier Diodes | Step Recovery Diodes | Varactor Diodes | Zener Diodes

Gunn Diode

A diode that operates as a negative resistance device, used to make solid state microwave or millimeter wave (>20 GHz) oscillators. Gunn diodes produce oscillators with lower FM noise than do IMPATT diodes. Agilent Technologies does not manufacture Gunn diodes.

IMPATT Diode

A diode that operates as a negative resistance device, used to make solid state microwave or millimeter wave (>20 GHz) oscillators. IMPATT diodes produce higher efficiency and higher power oscillators than do Gunn diodes. Agilent Technologies does not manufacture IMPATT diodes.

PN Junction Diode

A simple diode used for low frequency or DC applications. Agilent Technologies does not manufacture PN Junction diodes.

Silicon Rectifier Diode

A diode having the property of conducting current substantially in one direction only, used in power supplies and power control. SRDs are typically not fast enough to operate as radio frequency diodes. Agilent Technologies does not manufacture Silicon Rectifier diodes.

Step Recovery Diode

A step recovery diode is most graphically described as a charge controlled switch. A forward bias stores charge, a reverse bias depletes this charge, and when fully depleted the SRD ceases to conduct current. The action of turning off, or ceasing to conduct current, takes place so fast that the diode can be used to create an impulse.

Step Recovery Diodes are used to make harmonic multipliers and comb generators. Agilent Technologies formerly manufactured Step Recovery diodes, but no longer offers this product type.

Varactor Diode

A diode in which the electrical characteristic of primary interest is a voltage dependent capacitance. Varactor diodes are commonly used to provide the resonator for voltage tuned oscillators (VCOs). Agilent Technologies does not manufacture discrete Varactor diodes.

Zener Diode

A class of silicon diodes that exhibit in the avalanche-breakdown region a large change in reverse current over a very narrow range of reverse voltage. This characteristic permits a highly stable reference voltage to be maintained across the diode despite a relatively wide range of current through the diode. Agilent Technologies does not manufacture Zener diodes.