Subelement C: Components— Topic 24: Diodes
Question 3-24C6
Element 3 (GROL)What is the principal characteristic of a tunnel diode?
Explanation
A tunnel diode's principal characteristic is its **negative resistance region**. Unlike a typical diode, as the forward voltage across a tunnel diode increases beyond a certain point, the current through it *decreases* for a range of increasing voltage before eventually rising again. This unique behavior, resulting from quantum mechanical tunneling due to heavy doping, allows them to be used in high-frequency oscillators and amplifiers.
Options A (High forward resistance) and D (High forward current rating) are generally incorrect; tunnel diodes are typically low-power devices and have low initial forward resistance. Option B (Very high PIV - Peak Inverse Voltage) is also incorrect; their heavy doping actually leads to a relatively low reverse breakdown voltage.
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