» Name Dae Instructor EXPERIMENT Light-Emitting and Zener Diodes OBJECTIVE To calculate, draw, and measure the currents-and voltages of light-emitting diodes (LED) and Zener diodes. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED Instruments DMM Components Resistors (a) 100-0 (1) 220.0 (1) 330-0 Diode (2) Silicon (LED (1) Zener (10-V) Supplies DG power supply 7374 EQUIPMENT ISSUED RESUME OF THEORY PROCEDURE Z Exp. 7/ Light-Emitting and Zener Diodes tier Laboratory seria! no. Dm DC power supply ‘The light-emitting diode (LED) is, as the name implies, a diode that will give off visible light when sufficiently energized. In any forward-biased p-n junction there is, close to the junction, a recombination of holes and electrons. This recombination requires that the energy possessed by unbound free electrons be transferred to another state. In LED materials, such as gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) or gallium phosphide (GaP), photons of light energy are emitted in sufficient numbers to create a visible light source—a process referred to as electroluminescence. For every LED there is. a distinct forward voltage and current that will result in a bright, clear light, whether it be red, yellow, or groon. The diode may, therefore, be forward biased, but until the distinct level of voltage and current are reached, the light may not be visible. In this experiment the characteristics of an LED will be plotted and the “firing” levels of voltage and current determined. ‘The Zener diode is a p-n junction device designed to take full advantage of the Zener breakdown region. Once the reverse-bias potential reaches the Zener region, the ideal Zener diode is assumed to have a fixed terminal voltage and zero internal resistance. All practical diodes have some internal resistance even though, iypically, it is limited to 5 to 20 ©. The internal resistance is the source of the variation in Zener voltage with current level. The experimental procedure will demonstrate the variation in terminal voltage for different loads and resulting current levels. ‘The following procedure is used to determine the state of the Zener diode. For most configurations, the state of the Zener diode can usually be determined simply by replacing the Zener diode with an open circuit and caleulating the voltage across the resulting open circuit. If the open-circuit voltage equals or exceeds the Zener potential, the Zener diode is “on” and the Zener diode can be replaced by a DC supply equal to the Zener potential. Even though the open-circuit voltage may be greater than the Zener potential, the diode is still replaced by a supply equal to the Zener potential. Once the Zener voltage is substituted, the remaining voltages and currents of the network can be determined. Part 1. LED Characteristics a. Construct the circuit of Fig. 7.1. Initially, set the supply voltage to 0'V and record the measured value of the resistor R. a Rewea) = —— Figure 7-1 AAAMMAMAMOHHMHAMANMH MRE MANANAAHANA Qanane aan aaa 299 en ASEEUBEEEAEESESESESAESESESEY SESROR & SVOOSSSSZSRSESS Exp. 7/ Procedure 5 b, Increase the supply voltage E until “first light” is noticed. Record the value of Vp and Vz using the DMM. Calculate the corre- sponding level of Ip using Zp = Vp/R and the measured resistance value. Vp (measured) = Vp (measured) Ip (calculated) ,, Continue to increase the supply voltage E until “good brightness” is first established. Don't overload (too much current) the circuit and possibly damage the LED by continuing to raise the voltage beyond this level. Record the values of Vp and Vp and calculate the corresponding level of Ip using Ip = Vp/R and the measured resistance value, Vp (measured) Vp (measured) Ip (caleulated)= @. Set the DC supply to the levels appearing in Table 7.1 and measure both Vp and Vp. Record the values of Vp and Vp in Table 7.1 and calculate the corresponding level of Ip using Ip = Vp/R and the measured resistance value TABLE 7A ao. Ta Te] Vol) Va) Ip= Val (mA) e. Using the data of Table 7.1 sketch the curve of Ip vs. Vp on the graph of Fig. 7.2. Choose en appropriate scale for both Ip and Vp. f, Draw a light dashed horizontal line across the graph of Fig. 7.2 at the current Ip required for “good brightness.” In addition, draw a light dashed vertical line the full height of Fig. 7.2 at the point of intersection between the curve and the light dashed horizontal line. The intersection of the vertical line with the horizontal axis should result in a level of Vp close to that measured in Part 1(c). Shede in the region below the Jp line and to the left of the Vip line and label the region as the region to be avoided if “good brightness” is to be obtained. Label the remaining unshaded region of Fig. 7.2 as the region for “good brightness.” &oe 16 Exp. 7 / Light-Emitting and Zener Diodes i Figure 7-2 Construct the circuit of Fig. 7.3. Be sure that both diodes are connected properly and record the measured resistance value. 202 si Rega —— Figure 7-3 |. Do you expect the LED to burn brightly? Why? Energize the network of Fig. 7.3 and verify your conclusion in step 1h). Reverse the silicon diode of Fig. 7.3 and repeat step 1h). anananeen ernnanaenenne AAMAAAAAAAAAMAAMAAA AT fh aSREOSCUSTUSHHSESESETITESSES Se VHSOSHPFSSSESSHSSTHSHEGS Exp. 7/ Procedure : 7 ik. Repeat step 1(). If the LED is “on” with “good brightness” measure Vp and Vp and calculate the level of Zp. Find the intersection of Ip and Vp on the graph of Fig. 7.2. Is the intersection on the curve part of the “good brightness” region? Part2. Zener Diode Characteristics 2. Construct the circuit of Fig. 7.4. Initially, set the DC supply to 0 V and record the measured value of R. same =) re eae Rinne iegetts Figure 7-4 Set the DC supply (E) to the values appearing in Table 7.2 and measure hoth Vz and Vp. You may have to use the millivolt range of your DMM for low values of Vz and Vp. TABLE 7.2 EU) oliltzetelte[slel7[a[s[ol nel alu VV) Va¥) 12> Vel Fineas (MA) ¢. Caleulate the Zener current Iz in mA at each level of E using Ohm's law as indicated in the last row of Table 7.2 and complete the table. 4, ‘This step will develop the characteristic curve for the Zener diode. Since the Zener region is in the third quadrant of a complete diode ; characteristic curve, place a minus sign in front of each level of Iz and Vz for each data point. With this convention in mind plot the i data of Table 7.2 on the graph of Fig. 7.5. Choose an appropriate scale for Iz and Vz, as determined by the range of values for each parameter.78 a Exp. 7 / Light-Emitting and Zener Diodes Fema) 0 va) 1 a0 0 =40 50 Figure 7-5 e. For the range of measurable current Iz in the linear (straight line) Tegion that drops from the Vz axis, what is the average value of ‘Vz? In other words, for all practical purposes, what is Vz for this Zener diode? Vz (approximated) = f. For the range of measurable current Jy in the linear region that drops from the Vz, axis, estimate the average resistance of the Zener diode using Tay = AV2/Alz, Where AVz, is the change in Zener voltage for the corresponding change in Zener current. Choose en interval of at least 20 V on the linear region of the curve. If necessary, use the data of Table 7.2. Show all work. Rz (calculated) = g: Using the results of steps 2e) and 2(f), establish the Zener diode equivalent circuit of Fig. 7.6 for the “on” linear region. That is, insert the values of Rz and Vz. Ve ‘ 2 af 2 pe fb oe FE Re = —— Figure 7-6 ct REPRO EAHETAAASSHHRAAAMEHE NN AAMADROAED 2 EeSSSSSSSSSSSSESSSSETSSSESECESEESSESSESSSBSHESSEDSES Exp. 7/ Procedure 78 h, For the region from Vz and Iz = 0 to the point where the charac- teristic curve drops sharply from the Vz axis calculate the resistance of the Zener diode using the equation r = AVz/Alz, Choose AV; = Vz~ 0 V= Vz and substitute the resulting change in current (Az) for this interval. Raz (calculated) = Is the calculated level the level you expected for the region In which the Zener diode is “off”? What would be an appropriate approximation for the Zener diode in this region? Part 3. Zener Diode Regulation . Construct the network of Fig. 7.7. Record the measured value of each resistor. Figure 7-7 b, Determine whether the Zener diode of Fig. 7.7 is in the “on” state, that is, operating in the Zener breakdown region. Use the measured resistor values and the Vz determined in Part e)- Exp. 7/ Light-Emitting and Zener Diodes Ignore the effects of Rz in your calculations. For the diode in the “on” state caleulate the expected values of Vz, Vp, Ip, Zz, and Iz. Show all calculations, | 1 | | | i | V;, (calculated) = ‘Vp (calculated) = Ip (calculated) = I, (calculated) = Tz (calculated) = e. Energize the network of Fig. 7.7 and measure Vz, and Vp. Using these values calculate the levels of Ip, Iz, and Iz. Ip (calculated) I, (calculated) Tz (caleulated) ‘How do the results of steps 3(b) and 3(¢) compare? RHADANAMDAARPRAR REPRE AAMAAAAAAMMAAAA EA 2 . Change Rz, to 3.3 k@ and repeat step 8(b). That is, calculate the expected levels of V;, Vz, Ip, Ip, and Iz using measured resistor values and the Vz determined in step 2(e). 2 DAAARDAADSSSSSSCSESSSSSCSSSSESSISSSSSEEECASHSESELESESSEGEES Exp. 7/ Procedures a V; (calculated) Vp (calculate Tp (calculated) = J, (calculated) Ty (calculated) e, Energize the network of Fig. 7.7 with Ry, = 3.8 k. and R, Measure Vz, and Vp. Using these values calculate the levels of In, Ih, and Iz. Ry (measured) = BR; (measured) V;, (measured) Vp (measured) = Ip (caloulated) J, (calculated) J; (calculated) = How do the results of steps 3(d) and S(e) compare? Using the measured resistor values and Vz determined from step 2(e), determine the minimum value of Ry, required to ensure that the Zener diode is in the “on” state. Ry, (calculated) = g. Based on the results of step 3(f), will a load resistor of 2.2 0 place the Zener diode of Fig. 7.7 in the “on” state? Insert Ry, = 2.2 kA into Fig. 7.7 and measure Vy, V; (measured) =82 Exp. 7/Light-Emitiing and Zener Diodes “Are the conclusions of steps 3(f) and 3(g) verified? ( Part 4. LED-Zener Diode Combination i fa. In this part of the experiment we will determine the minimum supply voltage necessary to turn on (‘good brightness”) the LED see ihe Zener diode of Fig. 7.8. The LED will reveal when the Zener diode is “on” and the required supply voltage will be the minimum value that can be applied if the Zener diode is to be used +o regulate the voltage Vz. al Rees)" —— ‘ RAP On aPOAane fb. Refer to step 1(c) and record the level of Vp and Jp that resulted in a a “good brightness” level for the LED. { Vp= I Ip= if Refer to step 2(e) and record the level of Vz for your Zener diode. Vge i Using the above data determine the total voltage necessary to turn 1 | | oth the LED diode “on” in Fig. 7.8. That is, determine the ‘required voltage from point a to b. Vay (caleulated) = cc. Using the result of step 4(b) calculate the voltage Vz, and resulting current I, Use measured resistor values. Vz (calculated) I, (calculated) =SELSSERSSESSSSSCHASTISETSEHSFIVITSGSSHSSSSTSESTSES Exp. 7 / Procedure as 4. Calculate Ip from Ig = Iz, + Iz = Ty, + Ip using the level of Ip from Part 4(b). Then calculate the voltage Vz using Ohm's law. Tp (calculated) Vp (calculated) e. Using Kirchhoff voltage law caleulate the required supply voltage E to turn on the Zener diode and establish “good brightness” by the LED. Use measured resistor values. E (calculated) = £, Turn on the supply of Fig. 7.8 and increase the voltage E until the LED has “good brightness .” Record the required level of E below: E (measured) How does the level calculated in step 4(e) compare with the mea- sured value? g- Measure the voltage Vp and compare with the level listed in step 4b). Measure the voltage Vz and compare with the level listed in step tb). Vz (measured) =& i Te ae en shag? 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