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Schottky diode
Sign in to saveAlso known as Schottky barrier diode, hot-carrier diode
diode with a low forward voltage drop, formed by a semiconductor–metal junction
Key facts
- Component type
- Passive
- Inventor
- Walter H. Schottky
- Pin names
- anode and cathode
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Schottky.jpg
Show 2 more facts
- Commons category
- Schottky diodes
- inception
- 1938-00-00
via Wikidata · CC0
~15 min read
Article
The Schottky diode (named after the German physicist Walter H. Schottky), also known as Schottky barrier diode or hot-carrier diode, is a semiconductor diode formed by the junction of a semiconductor with a metal. It has a low forward voltage drop and a very fast switching action. The cat's-whisker detectors used in the early days of wireless and metal rectifiers used in early power applications can be considered primitive Schottky diodes.
When sufficient forward voltage is applied, a current flows in the forward direction. A silicon p–n diode has a typical forward voltage of 600–700 mV, while the Schottky's forward voltage is 150–450 mV. This lower forward voltage requirement allows higher switching speeds and better system efficiency.