A Schottky Diode, sometimes referred to as a Barrier Diode or a Hot Carrier Diode, is metal semiconductor with a fast switching action and an accompanying low forward voltage drop, with a small voltage drop across the terminals when current flows through the diode. Where a standard diode has a voltage drop between 0.6 and 1.7 volts, a Schottky's drop is between 0.15 and 0.45 volts. This lower voltage drop facilitates a high switching speed as well as improved system efficiency.

At RS, we have an extensive range of Schottky Diodes from leading brands across the industry, including DiodesZetex, Nexperia, ON Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, Vishay, and many more.

What are Schottky Diodes used for?

Schottky Diodes have multiple uses across a range of electronic and electrical industries due to their sensitivity and efficiency. They are used for the voltage clamping of applications, also as a preventative of transistor saturation, and can also be used as rectifiers in power supplies to convert current from AC to DC. Schottky Diodes are used in solar panels and grid-connected systems to prevent high-performing solar cells discharging over low-performing solar cells, and additionally prevent the batteries from discharging at night.

Why use a Schottky Diode?

Schottky Diodes are favoured for their fast recovery time, which ultimately results in a small amount of stored charge that can be used for high speed switches. They feature a low turn voltage between 0.15 and 0.45 volts, a higher efficiency, and the integrated guard ring protects the internal components from stress, keeping them running smoothly for longer. The low junction capacitance occupies a small space, after the results given from the wire point contact the silicon, the capacitance levels are also very small.

What is a Rectifier Diode?

A rectifier diode's main purpose is to rectify alternating currents. It's used to flow a current through a circuit in one direction, in contrast to elements such as resistors, and a rectifier's current has a non-linear relationship to the voltage across it. The diode will be forward bias when positive voltage is being applied and will do its best to operate as a short circuit and allow the current to flow through the diode freely. Its main task is to convert an alternating current (AC) into a direct current (DC) through the application of rectifier bridges. A rectifier diode can sometimes be used as a Schottky Rectifier.