Question

A pure semiconductor like Ge or Si, when doped with a small amount of suitable impurity, becomes an extrinsic semiconductor. In thermal equilibrium, the electron and hole concentration in it are related to the concentration of intrinsic charge carriers. A p-type or n-type semiconductor can be converted into a p-n junction by doping it with suitable impurity. Two processes, diffusion and drift take place during formation of a p-n junction. A semiconductor diode is basically a p-n junction with metallic contacts provided at the ends for the application of an external voltage. A p-n junction diode allows currents to pass only in one direction when it is forward biased. Due to this property, a diode is widely used to rectify alternating voltages, in half-wave or full wave configuration.

The process of converting ac into dc is called rectification and the device used is called a rectifier. When ac signal is fed to a junction diode during positive half cycle, the diode is forward biased and current flows through it. During the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased and it does not conduct. Thus the ac signal is rectified. The p-n junction diodes can be used as half-wave and full-wave rectifiers.

Explain the property of a p-n junction which makes it suitable for rectifying alternating voltages. Differentiate between a half-wave and a full-wave rectifier.

In which of the following diagrams is the capacitor 'C' connected correctly to provide smooth output of a half-wave rectifier ?

With the help of a circuit diagram, explain briefly how a p-n junction diode works as a half-wave rectifier.