1. Objective. The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate the dynamic and switching characteristics of power diodes.

2. Background. The switching characteristics of the diode are determined by the capacitive properties of the pn-junction. Studying these dynamics helps to understand the more complex switching behavior of other semiconductor devices. There are two distinct switching transients.

2.1. Turn on Transients. With reference to Figure 1.1, the diode turn-on is delayed by the junction capacitance. Thus, if foreword voltage is applied across the diode, a small charge of minority carriers is stored in the junction and the diode commences conduction.

With reference to Figure 1.1, the turn-on time can be measured from the beginning of the rising of the anode current to the moment this current reaches 90% of its forward conduction value.

2.2. Turn-off Transients. When the diode has been conducting, a significant charge is stored at the junction and the bulk of the semiconductor. With reference to Figure 1.2, when the diode current becomes negative, the diode continues to conduct. This reverse conduction continues until the negative current sweeps away the minority carriers stored in the junction. At that moment, the diode gains its reverse blocking capability and its voltage charges to the reverse recovery voltage. The time needed for the diode to gain blocking capability is denoted by t_a. An additional time, t_b, is needed to remove the minority carriers from the bulk of the semiconductor. Therefore, the total turn-off time is the reverse recovery time of the diode, t_rr=t_a+t_b. The total charge that must be removed during reverse recovery is denoted by Q_RR i.e. the reverse recovery charge. This charge is given as a diode parameter. The peak negative current during reverse recovery is denoted by I_RR. Figure 1.2 provides the relations applied to the diode turn-off.

The total switching time of the diode is t_sw=t_on+t_rr. The switching time of the diode limits the switching frequency of the supply.

Abrupt turn-off may occur as a result of un-damped oscillations. These oscillations arise due to resonance formed between the junction capacitance and the circuit inductance. The overvoltage in abrupt recovery can damage the diode. A commonly used protection is the snubber shown in Figure 1.3. A simple snubber consists of a capacitor and a resistor in series. The resistor introduces damping and the capacitor decreases the oscillation frequency.

HP-VEE set-up

1N5404G18451 Power diode

1N5242B Fast switching diode

2W and 50W Single resistors

2kW Potentiometer

1mF Capacitor

Inductor box (1, 4.7, 10, 1000 mH)

1. Measure the turn-on voltage of the two diodes.
2. Obtain frequency response:

1. Construct the circuit of Figure 1.4. Connect diode 1N5242B.
2. Adjust the supply to obtain a symmetric square pulse of 5 Vp-p, at 100 Hz.
3. Measure the diode turn-on time.
4. Measure the diode turn-off time.
5. Obtain the frequency response of the diode by varying the supply frequency in appropriate increments. Determine the cut-off frequency of the diode.
6. Replace the previous diode by Diode 1N5404G18451. Repeat steps 2.3 to 2.5.



Fig. 1.4. Experimental set-up for obtaining diode dynamic response.

3. Turn-off dynamics. Snubber circuit. Use the circuit of 2.6 and set the supply frequency at 60Hz. Observe the reverse recovery current and diode voltage.

1. Measure the peak reverse recovery current.

2. Add 1mH inductance in series with the load resistor. Measure the di/dt and the reverse recovery current. Also measure the peak reverse voltage.

3. Repeat 3.2 with a 4.7 and 10mH inductance.
4. For the circuit with the 4.7mH inductance, add 1mF capacitor across the diode. Measure di/dt and the reverse recovery current and voltage.
5. Add the 2kW potentiometer in series with the capacitor. Adjust its resistance to achieve an over-damped response.

1. Describe the switching characteristics of the diode. Explain the reverse recovery current.
2. Record and discuss the results of the experiments in Procedures 1 and 2. Provide appropriate waveforms. How does the cut-off frequency of the diode relate to its total switching time?
3. Obtain the plot of the diode voltage and current from Procedures 3.2 and 3.3. In each case, measure the peak reverse current, its di/dt, the reverse recovery time, and the reverse recovery charge of the diode (be mindful of the scale). Verify the relations of Figure 1.2.
4. With reference to Procedure 3.5, calculate theoretically the minimum value of the series resistor to obtain an over-damped recovery. Compare it with the experimental.