Rectifier Diodes

Rectifier diodes are two-terminal electronic components that allow current to flow in only one direction, from an anode (+) to a cathode (-), and that convert AC to DC. These simple semiconductors are PN junctions with a positive or P-region with positive ions and a negative or N-region with negative electrons. Applying voltage to the PN junction causes current to flow in only one direction as electrons from the N-region fill “holes” in the P-region. Typically, rectifier diodes are made of semiconductor materials such as silicon, germanium or selenium. Half-wave rectifier diodes deliver DC output during alternate half-waves of AC input. Full-wave rectifier diodes produce a unidirectional DC current by rectifying both the positive and negative half-cycles of the AC input. Several rectifier configurations are available, including bridge, center-tap, Schottky, and fast recovery. 

Performance specifications for rectifier diodes include average rectified current, reverse current, forward voltage, peak forward surge current, reverse recovery time, and junction operating temperature. Average rectified current (I_o) is the maximum allowable continuous average current in the forward direction under specified conditions. Reverse current or leakage current (I_R), the current at which the specified reverse voltage is applied, measures the current that flows when reverse bias is applied to a semiconductor junction. Forward voltage (V_F) is the voltage across the diode terminals resulting from the flow of current in the forward direction. Peak forward surge current (I_FSM) is the maximum allowable surge value of forward current without repetition. Reverse recovery time (t_rr) is the time taken for the reverse current (I_R) to reach a specified level when the reverse voltage is applied while the device is conducting in the forward direction. Junction operating temperature (T_j) is the range of temperatures at which diode are designed to operate.

IC package types for rectifier diodes include transistor outline (TO), diode outline (DO), small outline transistor (SOT), and small outline diode (SOD). Other rectifier diodes are available in a discrete package (DPAK) or in D2PAK, a large surface-mounted package that includes a heat sink. SC-59, SC-74, and SC-76 are plastic, surface-mounted IC packages with three leads. Metal electrode leadless face (MELF) diodes have metallized terminals at each end of a cylindrical body and are designed to fit the same footprints as flat components. QuadroMELF diodes have a square cross section to provide better on board stability and greater "pick and place" accuracy. MiniMELF is a miniature version of MELF and MicroMELF has the same footprint as the SOD110 and SOD323 packages. 

Rectifier diodes follow product life style stages that are defined by the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) in EIA-724. Numbered stages range from zero to eight and cover product introduction, growth, maturity, market saturation, phase out, last shipment, and removal. The first stage, Life Cycle Stage Code 0, describes rectifier diodes that are in the planning or early design stages.  The last stage, Life Cycle Stage Code 8, describes rectifier diodes that are no longer stocked in inventory or available for sale. 

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Part Numbers for Rectifier Diodes