Semiconductor Diode Notation

The notation most frequently used for semiconductor diodes is provided in Fig. 1.40. For most diodes any marking such as a dot or band, as shown in Fig. 1.40, appears at the cathode end. The terminology anode and cathode is a carryover from vacuumtube notation. The anode refers to the higher or positive potential, and the cathode refers to the lower or negative terminal. This combination of bias levels will result in a forward-bias or “on” condition for the diode. A number of commercially available semiconductor diodes appear in Fig. 1.41. Some details of the actual construction of devices such as those appearing in Fig. 1.41 are provided in Chapters 12 and 20.