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• Types of diodes

A diode is an electronic device that has two electrodes (conductors of electrical currents) arranged in such a way that electrons (subatomic particle having a negative charge) can flow in only one direction. Because of this ability to control the flow of electrons, a diode is commonly used as a rectifier—a device that converts alternating current into direct current. (Alternating current is an electric current that flows first in one direction and then in the other. But alternating current fed into a diode can move in one direction only, thereby converting the current to a one-way flow known as a direct current.)

Types of diodes

In general, two types of diodes exist. Older diodes were vacuum tubes containing two metal components, while newer diodes are solid-state devices consisting of one n-type and one p-type semiconductor....