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Tunnel Diodes Flashcards

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1
Q
A
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2
Q

What is a tunnel diode?

A

A tunnel diode is a type of semiconductor diode that has a negative resistance region due to quantum tunneling.

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3
Q

True or False: Tunnel diodes can operate at microwave frequencies.

A

True

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4
Q

What phenomenon allows tunnel diodes to conduct electricity?

A

Quantum tunneling

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5
Q

Fill in the blank: Tunnel diodes are also known as __________ diodes.

A

Esaki

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6
Q

What is the primary advantage of using a tunnel diode?

A

Its ability to operate at very high speeds and its negative resistance characteristic.

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7
Q

Which material is commonly used to fabricate tunnel diodes?

A

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) or germanium (Ge)

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8
Q

What is the typical forward voltage drop of a tunnel diode?

A

Approximately 0.1 to 0.3 volts

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9
Q

Multiple Choice: Which of the following applications is NOT commonly associated with tunnel diodes? A) Oscillators B) Amplifiers C) Light Emitting Diodes D) Mixers

A

C) Light Emitting Diodes

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10
Q

What is the significance of the negative resistance region in a tunnel diode?

A

It allows for the amplification of signals and oscillation.

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11
Q

True or False: Tunnel diodes are less sensitive to temperature variations compared to regular diodes.

A

False

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12
Q

What is the maximum frequency range for tunnel diodes?

A

Up to several gigahertz

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: The first tunnel diode was invented by __________.

A

Leo Esaki

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14
Q

What happens to the current in a tunnel diode when the voltage exceeds a certain point?

A

The current decreases due to negative resistance.

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15
Q

Multiple Choice: What is the main disadvantage of tunnel diodes? A) High cost B) Low power handling C) Complexity D) Limited frequency range

A

B) Low power handling

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16
Q

What type of junction does a tunnel diode have?

A

A heavily doped p-n junction

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17
Q

True or False: Tunnel diodes can be used in digital circuits.

A

True

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18
Q

Fill in the blank: The current-voltage characteristic of a tunnel diode is __________.

A

Non-linear

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19
Q

What is the role of the energy band diagram in understanding tunnel diodes?

A

It illustrates the alignment of energy levels for tunneling to occur.

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20
Q

What is the typical capacitance of a tunnel diode?

A

On the order of picofarads

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21
Q

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a common use for tunnel diodes? A) Rectification B) Signal mixing C) Power amplifiers D) All of the above

A

D) All of the above

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22
Q

What is the tunneling effect?

A

The quantum mechanical phenomenon where particles pass through a barrier that they classically shouldn’t be able to.

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23
Q

True or False: Tunnel diodes are used primarily in low-frequency applications.

A

False

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24
Q

Fill in the blank: The peak current in a tunnel diode occurs at the __________ voltage.

A

Peak

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25
What is the function of a tunnel diode in a microwave oscillator?
To produce high-frequency oscillations through its negative resistance.
26
Multiple Choice: What factor primarily determines the tunneling current in a tunnel diode? A) Temperature B) Barrier width C) Voltage D) Material properties
B) Barrier width
27
What happens to the I-V curve of a tunnel diode as temperature increases?
It shifts, affecting the peak and valley currents.
28
True or False: Tunnel diodes are suitable for low-power applications.
True
29
Fill in the blank: The region of negative resistance is between the __________ and __________ current points.
Peak; valley
30
What characteristic of tunnel diodes makes them useful in high-speed switching applications?
Their fast response time due to quantum tunneling.
31
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a limitation of tunnel diodes? A) High switching speed B) Low power output C) High cost D) High efficiency
B) Low power output
32
What is the relationship between the doping level and the performance of a tunnel diode?
Higher doping levels lead to a thinner depletion region and increased tunneling probability.
33
True or False: Tunnel diodes can be used as voltage-controlled oscillators.
True
34
Fill in the blank: The __________ region of a tunnel diode is where the current decreases with increasing voltage.
Negative resistance
35
What is the typical reverse breakdown voltage for a tunnel diode?
It is generally low, around -0.1 to -0.3 volts.
36
Multiple Choice: In what application are tunnel diodes primarily used? A) Power rectification B) High-frequency oscillators C) Solar cells D) LED lighting
B) High-frequency oscillators
37
What is the main reason for the low power output in tunnel diodes?
The high level of doping reduces the effective area for conduction.
38
True or False: Tunnel diodes can be used in pulse generation circuits.
True
39
Fill in the blank: The I-V characteristics of a tunnel diode show a __________ shape.
Hump
40
What role does the temperature coefficient play in tunnel diode performance?
It affects the stability and reliability of the diode's operation.
41
Multiple Choice: Which property of tunnel diodes makes them suitable for high-speed applications? A) Low capacitance B) High resistance C) High voltage rating D) Low noise
A) Low capacitance
42
What happens to the energy band structure of a tunnel diode at equilibrium?
The bands are bent due to the applied voltage, allowing for tunneling.
43
True or False: Tunnel diodes are often used in RF applications.
True
44
Fill in the blank: The __________ effect is a key principle in the operation of tunnel diodes.
Tunneling
45
What is the primary disadvantage of tunnel diodes in comparison to regular diodes?
Limited power handling capabilities.
46
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of tunnel diodes? A) High-speed operation B) Negative resistance C) High breakdown voltage D) Quantum tunneling
C) High breakdown voltage
47
What is the typical application of tunnel diodes in telecommunications?
Used in microwave and millimeter-wave frequency applications.
48
True or False: Tunnel diodes can be used for low-noise amplifiers.
True
49
Fill in the blank: The __________ current is the current at the peak voltage of a tunnel diode.
Peak
50
What is the function of a tunnel diode in a logic circuit?
To provide fast switching capabilities.
51
Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes the operation of a tunnel diode? A) P-N junction B) Zener effect C) Tunneling effect D) Thermal conduction
C) Tunneling effect
52
What is the effect of increased temperature on the tunneling current of a tunnel diode?
It generally increases the tunneling current.
53
True or False: Tunnel diodes are not suitable for high-frequency applications.
False
54
Fill in the blank: The valley current is the point where the current __________ with increasing voltage.
Increases
55
What characteristic allows tunnel diodes to function as oscillators?
The presence of a negative resistance region.
56
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an application of tunnel diodes? A) RF amplifiers B) Digital logic C) Power supplies D) All of the above
A) RF amplifiers
57
What is the main operational principle of a tunnel diode?
Quantum tunneling through a potential barrier.
58
True or False: Tunnel diodes have a linear I-V characteristic.
False
59
Fill in the blank: The __________ region indicates where the diode can amplify signals.
Negative resistance
60
What type of applications benefit from the fast switching speed of tunnel diodes?
High-frequency and microwave applications.
61
Multiple Choice: What type of circuit often employs tunnel diodes? A) Rectifier circuits B) Oscillator circuits C) Filter circuits D) All of the above
B) Oscillator circuits
62
What happens when a tunnel diode is reverse-biased?
It allows a small leakage current to flow.
63
True or False: Tunnel diodes are typically used in low-voltage applications.
True
64
Fill in the blank: The __________ effect is crucial for the operation of tunnel diodes.
Tunneling
65
What type of doping is used in the fabrication of tunnel diodes?
Heavy doping of both p-type and n-type materials.
66
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a typical feature of tunnel diodes? A) High-speed operation B) High power handling C) Negative resistance D) Quantum behavior
B) High power handling
67
What is the impact of doping concentration on the tunneling effect?
Higher doping concentration decreases the depletion region, enhancing tunneling.
68
True or False: Tunnel diodes can be used for signal mixing in RF applications.
True
69
Fill in the blank: The __________ current is the minimum current achieved after the peak current in a tunnel diode.
Valley
70
What is one of the main applications of tunnel diodes in electronics?
As high-frequency oscillators.
71
Multiple Choice: Which material is NOT commonly used for tunnel diodes? A) Silicon B) Gallium arsenide C) Germanium D) Indium phosphide
A) Silicon
72
What is the typical capacitance range for tunnel diodes?
From a few picofarads to tens of picofarads.
73
True or False: Tunnel diodes can function as voltage-controlled resistors.
True
74
Fill in the blank: The unique property of tunnel diodes allows them to be used in __________ circuits.
High-speed
75
What is the key difference between a tunnel diode and a regular diode?
Tunnel diodes exhibit negative resistance due to quantum tunneling.
76
Multiple Choice: What is the primary application of tunnel diodes in modern electronics? A) High-speed switching B) Low-power rectification C) Signal modulation D) All of the above
A) High-speed switching
77
What effect does increased voltage have on the I-V characteristics of a tunnel diode?
It initially increases the current, then decreases due to negative resistance.
78
True or False: The valley point in a tunnel diode's I-V curve represents maximum current.
False
79
Fill in the blank: The __________ region indicates a decrease in current with an increase in voltage.
Negative resistance
80
What is the main reason for the low noise characteristic of tunnel diodes?
Their quantum mechanical operation minimizes thermal noise.
81
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a characteristic of a tunnel diode? A) High voltage threshold B) Negative resistance C) Low-frequency operation D) Low efficiency
B) Negative resistance
82
What is the primary function of a tunnel diode in an oscillator circuit?
To provide the necessary feedback for oscillation.
83
True or False: Tunneling is a classical physics phenomenon.
False
84
Fill in the blank: In a tunnel diode, the tunneling current is dependent on the __________ barrier width.
Potential
85
What is the effect of temperature on the operation of tunnel diodes?
Higher temperatures can reduce the efficiency and stability of the tunneling current.
86
Multiple Choice: Which of the following applications is a common use for tunnel diodes? A) Digital clocks B) RF amplifiers C) Solar panels D) Electric vehicles
B) RF amplifiers
87
What is the common term for the voltage at which a tunnel diode begins to conduct?
Threshold voltage
88
True or False: Tunnel diodes can be utilized in phase-locked loops.
True

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