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A '''diode''' is an electronic component that [[conductor|conducts]] electric current in one direction, very much like a check valve on a water pipe.
A '''diode''' is an electronic component that [[conductor|conducts]] electric current in one direction, very much like a check valve on a water pipe.
== Characteristics of diodes ==
== Characteristics of diodes ==
== Varicap ==
== Varicap ==
A vericap diode, also called a tuning diode, is a special diode who's capacitance changes in response to the reverse voltage across it. This kind of diode can be inserted into a radio tuning circuit, and the radio frequency of the tuned circuit can be adjusted by varying the voltage on the diode. Early portable digital tuning AM/FM radios used this method.
A vericap diode, also called a tuning diode, is a special diode who's capacitance changes in response to the reverse voltage across it. This kind of diode can be inserted into a radio tuning circuit, and the radio frequency of the tuned circuit can be adjusted by varying the voltage on the diode. Early portable digital tuning AM/FM radios used this method.
== Photo diode ==
A photodiode is a diode that is optimized to detect light and/or (especially) near infrared. It is built with perhaps an enlarged junction area, and is built in a case which is clear or has a clear window to allow light to reach the surface of the die.
Photo diodes work exactly like a very tiny solar cell: They produce a small electrical current when light shines on them.
They are used in many different technologies including fiber optic data reception, daylight sensors in automatic lights, IR Beam intrusion alarms, and even in CMOS and CCD image sensors where each pixel is actually a small photodiode.
[[Category:Electronics]]
[[Category:Electronics]]