Schottky diode

A diode formed by a metal–semiconductor junction that conducts mainly through majority carriers. It typically has a low forward voltage drop and switches faster than a conventional p–n junction diode.

Schottky barrier: An energy barrier at a metal–semiconductor interface that controls carrier transport across the junction. Its height and shape govern the diode’s forward conduction and reverse leakage.
Rectifier: A circuit or device that converts alternating current into unidirectional current. Schottky diodes rectify power with reduced conduction loss at low voltages.
P–n junction diode: A diode formed by joining p-type and n-type semiconductor regions. It stores minority carriers during conduction, unlike the majority-carrier Schottky junction.
Semiconductor: A material whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator and can be controlled. The semiconductor’s doping and band structure shape the diode’s barrier and current.
Work function: The energy needed to remove an electron from a material’s surface to vacuum. The metal and semiconductor work functions help determine the junction’s barrier and built-in potential.
Flyback diode: A diode connected across an inductive load to provide a path for current when the load is switched off. Its fast response can clamp voltage spikes from switching inductive loads.
Schottky transistor: A bipolar transistor with a Schottky contact that prevents deep saturation. It applies the same barrier principle to speed up transistor switching.
Doping (semiconductor): The intentional addition of impurities to change a semiconductor’s carrier concentration. Doping sets the carrier supply and influences the junction’s depletion region.
Thermionic emission: Carrier transport over an energy barrier by gaining thermal energy. It describes a principal current mechanism across many Schottky barriers.
Freewheeling diode: A diode that carries current through an inductive load when its driving switch turns off. Schottky versions reduce losses in switching power converters.

Linked from 8 pages