Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Anode or Cathode?

This is a confusing thing to talk... isn't it? Ya..

The cathode is the terminal where the current always flowing out of it. For example, the electrode of the battery (while discharging ) acts as a cathode as it is giving out the current and a positive terminal. However, same electrode acts as a anode while recharging the battery. Cathode and Anode terminologies need to use very carefully. 

In normal diode (P-N junctions) the P acts an anode and N acts as a cathode.Here, we believe that forward current is considered. However, in case of zenner or solar cell, there is no significance for forward currents. They working principle is  reversed junctions.But, still we use the terminologies of the normal diodes. 

I am thinking, which terminal is anode and cathode of schotkky diode...?  'Art of analog layout' says "Metal acts as anode and silicon acts as cathode".Is it same for both P-type and metal junction and N-type and metal junction? 

Finally, I am confused..! bye.

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