Question

7. a) Explain the construction of a Schottky diode and state its advantages over normal

 p-n junction diode.

Answer 1

Schottky diodes are usually made of silicon (Si) or gallium arsenide (GaAs), sometimes of germanium (Ge). The choice of metal for contact with the semiconductor determines many parameters of the Schottky diode including the value of the contact potential difference at the metal-semiconductor interface and heterodyne power. The metals used are Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, W.

Advantages:

• Lower potential drop compared to regular diodes (forward-biasing);
• Low capacitance;
• Low level of noise in microcircuits.