Tunnel Diode:
A tunnel diode is a type of semiconductor diode that has effectively “negative resistance” due to the quantum mechanical effect called tunneling.
Working principle:
Quantum mechanical effect called Quantum Tunneling
Lets, first understand what is Quantum Tunneling, Then we see illustration Diagram of Tunnel Diode:
What is Quantum Tunneling ? Explained
“Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon in which an atom or a subatomic particle can appear on the opposite side of a barrier that should be impossible for the any macroscopic object to penetrate“.
“Quantum tunneling was developed from the study of radioactivity, which was discovered in 1896 by Henri Becquerel.”
Here is the simple diagram illustrates “the wave function of particle” travelling through potential barrier.
Illustration Diagram of Tunnel Diode.
Application of Tunnel Diodes:
- It can be used as switch, amplifier, and oscillator.
- It is used as high frequency component.
- In Logic memory storage device.
Reference Source:
[1] Wikipedia Contributors. “Tunnel Diode.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_diode. Accessed 2 Aug. 2021.
[2] Electrical4U. “Tunnel Diode: Definition, Characteristics & Applications | Electrical4U.” Electrical4U, 24 Feb. 2012, www.electrical4u.com/tunnel-diode/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2021.
[3] http://www.facebook.com/electronicshub.org. “Tunnel Diode – Working, Characteristics, Applications.” Electronics Hub, 31 Oct. 2018, www.electronicshub.org/tunnel-diode-working-characteristics-applications/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2021.
You may find this book interesting, on Quantum Mechanics
“Experience an illustration based learning”