Diodes allow current to flow through them in one direction only.
Perfectly efficient diodes appear to be open circuits with a negative voltage and they look like short circuits otherwise.
But because diodes admit to some inefficiency, their current-to-voltage relationship is nonlinear.
Tim Ridley / Getty Images
Applications of Diodes
Despite being just simple two-pin semiconductor devices, diodes are vital in modern electronics.
The diode allows only half of the AC waveform to travel through it.
Both AC and DC outputs are possible using the right configuration of capacitors and diodes.
Over-Voltage Protections
Diodes also function well as protection devices for sensitive electronic components.
A good example of current steering is throughreverse current protection.Consider, for example, your car.
Logic Gates
Computers operate in binary an endless sea of zeroes and ones.
In the presence of positive voltage,LEDs glow.
