Physics · Ch 9 — Semiconductor Electronics
P-N Junction Diode
P-N Junction Diode
A p-n junction diode is the single-junction device formed when one p-type region is fused to one n-type region, with external leads brought out from each side -- the p-side lead is called the anode and the n-side lead the cathode. Its circuit symbol is an arrowhead (pointing from p to n, i.e. from anode to cathode) with a bar at the flat (cathode) end, and by convention the arrowhead show …
What this figure shows. Panel (a) shows the physical device schematically: a P region fused to an N region, with the external terminals labelled 'Anode' at the p-side and 'Cathode' at the n-side. Panel (b) shows the standard circuit symbol used everywhere else in the chapter: a solid triangular arrowhead pointing towards a short flat bar, with 'Conventional current flow' marked in the direction the arrowhead points (from the anode side towards the cathode side) -- every forward/reverse-bias circuit diagram later in the chapter reus …