EE 2303 – Semiconductor Lab
Resources
Function generator
Oscilloscope
1N4001 Diode
470, 1K Resistors
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge of Diode Operation
Knowledge of Half-wave
In this lab example we will be working with a new category of electronic device,
the semiconductor diode.
Pre-Lab
BRING A FLOPPY DISK TO YOUR LAB
Read over the lab procedure and review the EE Lab writing guide on the web site.
Part I: Half Wave Rectifier
1. Using the function generator, connect the circuit shown below.
2 Vp 60 Hz
0 VDC
V1
R1
D1
470
D1N4001
R2
1k
Figure 1. Half Wave Rectifier
2. Connect the oscilloscope to display the voltage across R2. Record the wave form on a
Word pad document.
3. Use P-Spice to simulate the voltage across the “load” resistor R2. Paste the output
wave form into the word document.
This circuit is called a half wave rectifier because only the positive half of the input
voltage is coupled to the “load” resistor. The ability of this device to conduct current only
on one direction offers a lot of interesting possibilities. Most electronic systems require
DC voltage to operate. Diode rectifiers are used to convert AC voltage to DC voltage.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Michigan Technological University
EE 2303 – Semiconductor Lab
HAVE YOUR TA VERIFY YOUR WORK TO THIS POINT
(initials) ___________
Part 2: Nonlinear diode operation
3. Reconfigure the function generator to output DC voltage only and set the output to
0V.
4. Rewire the circuit as shown in Figure 2. Record the measured value of R1_______.
+
Ch 1
R1 1K
0 VDC
V1
D1
D1N4001
+
Ch 2
-
5. Set up the oscilloscope to measure DC voltage. Measure the voltage across R1 on Ch
1 and the voltage across the diode on Channel 2.
6. Vary the voltage from the function generator from 0V to 1.5V in 0.1 increments and
record the voltage across the diode and Resistor for each step in the Table 1 below.
Vin
Vr
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
Table 1. Diode Voltage and Current Data
Vd
HAVE YOUR TA VERIFY YOUR WORK TO THIS POINT
Id = Vr/R1
(initials) ___________
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Michigan Technological University
EE 2303 – Semiconductor Lab
7. Use P-spice to model the circuit in Figure 2. Step the DC voltage from –2V to +2V
DC in at most 0.1V increments.
8. Save the simulation plots to the word pad document.
HAVE YOUR TA VERIFY YOUR WORK TO THIS POINT
(initials) ___________
Part III: Summary and Follow Up instructions
1. Prepare a short report describing the operation of the diode. Use a simple
description of the P-N junction to explain the VI curves observed in your
experiments. Use the plots and tables from your word pad document, other
simulations, and illustrations to amplify your report. Use the format from the EE
Labs website to guide your style. The grading rubric for EE lab reports is also
available on the lab website.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Michigan Technological University