Tunnel Diode
Definition
A tunnel diode is a special type of semiconductor diode that works using quantum tunneling.
Key Features
- Heavily doped semiconductor
- Exhibits negative resistance
- Operates at very high speeds (GHz range)
What is Tunneling?
Electrons can pass through a barrier even at low voltage due to quantum mechanics. This process is called tunneling.
Negative Resistance
In a certain region, increasing voltage causes current to decrease. This is known as negative resistance.
Applications
- High-frequency oscillators
- Microwave amplifiers
- Fast switching circuits