What is a schottky barrier diode?

The Schottky diode is named after its inventor, Dr. Schottky. SBD is the abbreviation of Schottky barrier diode. SBD is not made using the principle of PN junction formed by the contact between P-type semiconductor and N-type semiconductor, but is made using the principle of metal-semiconductor junction formed by the contact between metal and semiconductor. Therefore, SBD is also called metal-semiconductor (contact) diode or surface barrier diode, which is a hot carrier diode.

Parameter characteristics of schottky diode

  • Since the height of the Schottky barrier is lower than that of the PN junction barrier, its forward conduction threshold voltage and forward voltage drop are lower than those of the PN junction diode (about 0.2V lower).
  • Since the SBD is a majority carrier conductive device, there is no minority carrier lifetime and reverse recovery problem. The reverse recovery time of the SBD is only the charging and discharging time of the Schottky barrier capacitor, which is completely different from the reverse recovery time of the PN junction diode. Since the reverse recovery charge of the SBD is very small, the switching speed is very fast and the switching loss is particularly small, which is especially suitable for high-frequency applications. However, since the reverse barrier of the SBD is thinner and it is very easy to break down on its surface, the reverse breakdown voltage is relatively low. Since the SBD is more susceptible to thermal breakdown than the PN junction diode, the reverse leakage current is larger than that of the PN junction diode.
  • When the reverse withstand voltage is increased, its forward voltage drop will be too high to meet the requirements, so it is mostly used in low-voltage applications below 200V; the reverse leakage current is large and sensitive to temperature, so the reverse steady-state loss cannot be ignored, and its operating temperature must be strictly limited.

It is mostly used as high-frequency, low-voltage, high-current rectifier diodes, freewheeling diodes, and protection diodes. It is also used as a rectifier diode and small signal detection diode in microwave communication circuits.

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