Uses for diodes

Here're some ideas:

Temperature sensors light detectors (photodiode) light sources (LED) switches (double balneced mixer) RF detectors Zener type diodes go both ways.. ... more....?

George H.

Through-hole diodes can be used as staples. But only if you're desperate.

When you need to drop 0.7V (or multiples thereof)... Voltage multipliers.... Clamping voltages for input protection.... I'm sure there's a load more I can't think of right now.

Oh yeah! Almost forgot reverse polarity protection.

That's kind of a "one way valve" application, though.

Really crappy logarithm-maker.

Hmmm. Arguable that one.

Variable capacitor. Step-recovery pulse generator. Temperature sensor. Variable resistor. Frequency multiplier. Oscillator. Amplifier. Mixer. Overload protector. Voltage reference. Current source. Light detector. Solar cell. Light emitter. Heater. Cooler. Power source. Paperweight.

yeah, I just love getting them stuck in my feet along with dips

Jamie

and let us not forget Variac Diodes!

Jamie

.... Phil

Ohh man... I totally forget about TEC's. Diodes are awesome! I sometimes feel I'm almost ready to move onto transistors.

George H.

No one else has mentioned:

Gate (usually multiple diodes as in DTL, but you can sum pulses and rely on the turnon threshold, so a single diode does majority-logic as well).

RF switch

High-Z parametric amplifier input elements (use the voltage variation of capacitance and balance a bridge).

they are also good noise sources when applied properly..

Jamie

In ther early 1970s, one of my friends got his Ph.D. studying the noise from a germanium diode.

I didn't see this one mentioned: shunt regulator.

So... is he still single? ;)

Suppositories for anally-retentive rodents?