8 Silicon Diode Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for silicon diodes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 8 silicon diode manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked silicon diode companies as of November, 2024: 1.Clairex Technologies, Inc., 2.Electronic Specifier, 3.Infineon Technologies AG.
Table of Contents
What Is a Silicon Diode?
A silicon diode is a semiconductor component that is a PN-junction type diode made primarily of silicon.
The crystal structure of silicon is used to junction P-type and N-type semiconductors to facilitate current flow in only one direction. Silicon diodes are widely used in IT equipment and electrical appliances and have a wide range of applications, including converting alternating current to direct current through rectification action.
Because of their high-speed switching capability and low cost, they have become indispensable as one of the major semiconductor components in all kinds of devices, including electronic equipment.
Uses of Silicon Diodes
Silicon diodes are a fundamental component of electronic technology and are used in many fields for a variety of applications. From everyday devices such as smartphones and computers to specialized equipment in the industrial, automotive, and telecommunications industries, they can be found in virtually every aspect of modern technology.
1. Rectification
The primary use of diodes is to rectify power supplies, converting alternating current to direct current. This rectification process is important in power supplies for laptops, televisions, cell phone chargers, etc.
2. Voltage Regulation
Zener diodes, a type of silicon diode, are often used for voltage regulation. They maintain a constant output voltage even when the input voltage fluctuates, which is essential for sensitive electronic devices that require a stable voltage supply.
3. Signal Modulation/Demodulation
Silicon diodes, also known as variable capacitance diodes, change their capacitance based on the applied voltage. This characteristic is used for signal modulation and demodulation, especially in radio frequency technology.
4. Overvoltage Protection
Some silicon diodes are used to protect circuits from overvoltages. For example, Zener diodes and overvoltage protection diodes provide protection for electronic components against voltage spikes.
5. Luminescence
LEDs emit light when current flows through them and are commonly used in various lighting applications, ranging from simple indicator lights to display screens and energy-efficient interior lighting.
6. Switching Applications
Certain types of silicon diodes, such as Schottky diodes, have very fast switching speeds. They are suitable for use in high-frequency circuits such as radio transmitters and digital computers.
7. Signal Mixing
Diodes can be used to mix signals from different frequency bands. This is useful in applications such as radio broadcasting and signal processing.
The range of applications for silicon diodes is extensive and constantly evolving. These tiny components play an important role in the operation of many electronic devices and make our digital world possible.
Principle of Silicon Diodes
Silicon diodes are semiconductor components made by a PN junction. The silicon crystal is composed of a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor, and the junction produces the rectifying action.
1. Silicon
Silicon is a tetravalent semiconductor. When some atoms lose electrons and produce holes due to thermal excitation, it becomes a P-type semiconductor. Conversely, when there is an excess of electrons, it becomes an N-type semiconductor. The junction between the P-type and N-type semiconductors is the PN junction, where electrons and holes recombine when they pass through the junction interface.
2. PN Junctions
In the PN junction, the recombination of electrons and holes converts kinetic energy into thermal energy. The direction of the current across the junction changes the amount of this thermal energy generated, and the rectifying action of the silicon diode is realized. When current flows in the forward direction, the voltage drop is small because the electrons and holes recombine smoothly and most of the kinetic energy is converted to heat.
When current flows in the reverse direction, the recombination of electrons and holes is inhibited, resulting in a large voltage drop because almost no kinetic energy can be converted into heat energy. Taking advantage of this difference in voltage drop, silicon diodes rectify alternating current, exhibiting rectifying action that allows current to flow only in the forward direction. This is the most basic principle of operation in silicon diodes.
Types of Silicon Diodes
Some of the major types of silicon diodes are described below.
1. Rectifier Diode
Rectifier diodes are the most commonly used type of diode to convert alternating current to direct current. They can be found in applications such as power supplies and battery chargers.
2. Schottky Diode
Schottky diodes have lower forward voltage drop and very fast switching speed characteristics compared to common diodes. These characteristics make them suitable for fast switching applications and power rectification.
3. Zener Diode
A Zener diode is a diode with the characteristic of starting conduction in reverse bias at a specific voltage (Zener breakdown voltage). This makes Zener diodes widely used in applications such as voltage regulation and overvoltage protection.
4. Variable Capacitance Diodes
Variable capacitance diodes are used especially in high-frequency applications and perform functions such as modulation, mixing, and frequency conversion.
5. Light Emitting Diode (LED)
LEDs are diodes that emit light when an electric current passes through them. Available in a variety of colors and shapes, they are used in many applications such as lighting, display, and signaling.
How to Select a Silicon Diode
Selecting the right silicon diode for your electronic project or product is an important factor in its success. The main considerations in selecting a silicon diode are:
1. The Purpose of the Diode
The type of diode you select will largely depend on its intended use. For example, if the application is rectification, a simple rectifier diode is suitable.
If voltage regulation is required, a Zener diode is a good choice. If light needs to be emitted, then naturally LEDs are the best choice.
2. Maximum Forward Current
The maximum forward current that the diode can handle without damage. It is important to select a diode that can safely handle the maximum current for the application.
3. Forward Voltage Drop
This parameter indicates the voltage drop across the diode when the diode is in conduction. A smaller forward voltage drop consumes less power, making a Schottky diode with a small forward voltage drop, for example, suitable for applications where power efficiency is important.
4. Reverse Breakdown Voltage
This is the maximum reverse voltage at which the diode begins to conduct in the reverse direction (breakdown). Be sure to select a diode with a breakdown voltage much higher than any reverse voltage that may be experienced in the application.
5. Operating Speed
For applications that require very quick on/off switching, such as radio frequency or digital circuits, select diodes with fast switching speeds.
6. Temperature
All diodes have a temperature range in which they operate safely and efficiently. If your application operates at high temperatures, you should choose a diode that can withstand those conditions.
7. Package Type
The package type of a diode affects its heat dissipation, size, and ease of integration into a circuit. Choose the package type that best fits your circuit design and environmental constraints.
List of 8 Silicon Diode Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
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Wireless Telecom Group, Inc
Noisecom's noise diodes
Manufacturer Overview
Wireless Telecom Group, Inc. (Boonton, Holzworth, Noisecomand), established in 1985 and headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, United States of America, is a manufacturer of RF and Microwave Noise Sources and components. The company's core products include CE and RoHS Status phase noise analyzers, signal processing modules, and programmable noise generators. It also produces Spectrum analyzers and frequency dividers, which are also used to achieve precise channel-to-channel phase coherence performance. These products serve a multitude of industries, with applications in sectors such as aerospace, telecommunications, and medical technology.
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Power Integrations, Inc.
Qspeed H-Series Diodes
Manufacturer Overview
Power Integrations, a manufacturer of power semiconductor solutions, was established in 1988 and is headquartered in San Jose, California. The company provides cutting-edge technologies for high-efficiency power conversion, serving industries such as electronics, consumer electronics, and industrial. The company also offers a range of services to its customers, including design support, application engineering, and product training. The company intends to help its customers design and implement efficient and dependable power solutions possible.
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Clairex Technologies, Inc.
Silicon Diodes
Manufacturer Overview
Clairex Semiconductor, established in 2017, and located in Plano, Texas, is a manufacturer that specializes in design and produces optoelectronic components. The company offers a range of products related to optoelectronics, including IREDs, LEDs, photodiodes, and phototransistors. It also offers both custom-designed and standard optoelectronic components. Its products emit radiation from the junction at wavelengths dependent on the bandgap energy of the dopants used in the processing. Its products are suitable for use in commercial, medical, and military.
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Shinkoh Electronics
diode
Manufacturer Overview
Shinkoh Electronics, established in 1974, is a manufacturer and retailer of electrical semiconductor products based in Kanagawa, Japan. The company’s product portfolio is composed of photo reflectors, prism photo sensors, photo interrupters, and photo interrupter separator-type & actuator-type. Their products are used in various settings including in amusement machines, slot machines, and cash machines for object detection, button detection, coin/bill passing detection, barcode reading, and mark detection. They are also used in testing equipment and medical and analytical equipment for various mechanism detection, and cover & object detection.
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Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage
Diodes
Manufacturer Overview
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation is a division of Toshiba focusing on providing designs for end-product developers as well as semiconductor and drive equipment for automotive, industrial equipment, green energy, and consumer and personal electronic devices. Toshiba’s storage products include cloud-scale and enterprise-level products, and PC hard drives. Semiconductor products include Si Cower devices, MOSFETs, IGBTs, IEGTs, isolators, solid state relays, power management and intelligent power ICs, diodes, bipolar transistors, microcontrollers, automotive devices, ICs for wireless communication equipment, general purpose logic ICs, radio-frequency devices, sensors, and linear image sensors.
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Infineon Technologies AG
Silicon Diodes
Manufacturer Overview
Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) is headquartered in Neubiberg, Germany. Infineon designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductors and related system solutions worldwide. Infineon’s automotive segment produces microcontrollers, discrete power semiconductors, IGBT modules, industrial microcontrollers, power and radar sensor ICs, SiC diodes, MOSFETs voltage regulators, comfort electronics, infotainment, powertrain, and security products. Industrial Power Control segment provides bare dies, discrete IGBTs, and driver ICs among other components. Power & Sensor Systems segment offers gas and pressure sensors, MEMS microphone chips, control ICs, and GaN power switches among others.
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Taiwan Semiconductor
Diode
Company Overview
Taiwan Semiconductor, established in 1979 in Taiwan, is a manufacturer and distributor of integrated circuits and wafer semiconductor devices for commercial and industrial customers worldwide. The company's product line includes discrete power rectifiers, power transistors, LED driver ICs, analog ICs, and ESD protection devices. Taiwan Semiconductor has production facilities in China and Taiwan that are compliant with automotive and environmental standards, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. Taiwan Semiconductor is also a member of the ECIA and the PSMA.
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Silicon Diode Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clairex Technologies, Inc. |
28.1%
|
| 2 | Electronic Specifier |
21.9%
|
| 3 | Infineon Technologies AG |
12.5%
|
| 4 | Shinkoh Electronics |
10.9%
|
| 5 | Taiwan Semiconductor |
9.4%
|
| 6 | Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage |
7.8%
|
| 7 | Power Integrations, Inc. |
6.3%
|
| 8 | Wireless Telecom Group, Inc |
3.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the silicon diode page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage: 23,100
- Power Integrations, Inc.: 831
- Shinkoh Electronics: 100
Newly Established Company
- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage: 2017 (7 years ago)
- Power Integrations, Inc.: 1988 (36 years ago)
- Taiwan Semiconductor: 1979 (45 years ago)
Company with a History
- Shinkoh Electronics: 1974 (50 years ago)
- Taiwan Semiconductor: 1979 (45 years ago)
- Power Integrations, Inc.: 1988 (36 years ago)
Silicon Diode Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Silicon Diode Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
3 | 42.9% |
Japan
|
2 | 28.6% |
Taiwan
|
1 | 14.3% |
United Kingdom
|
1 | 14.3% |
List of Silicon Diode Products
12 products are listed.
Japan International PS
Flat type general rectifier diode flat type
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