Difference between Active and Passive Devices ?

Device Physics doubts related to diode, transistor, BJT, MOSFET, JFET.
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Arvind
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:11 pm
Location: Noida, India

Difference between Active and Passive Devices ?

Post by Arvind »

The common difference between the active and passive devices is :
the devices that provides gain are active devices and those who don't provide gain are passive devices.

Diode is taken as active device but diode does not provide gain. so, what is the basic difference between active and passive devices ?
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Narveer
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:29 am
Location: Bangalore, INDIA

Re: Difference between Active and Passive Devices ?

Post by Narveer »

The Point you explained is one of the criteria of being an active device. For sure Diode is an active device because :

1. Diode being a non linear device has the capablity to highly modulate the current following through it, if we do very small modulation in the voltage applied across it.
2. Special Diodes like Tunnel diodes can act as amplifiers when used in its negitive resistance region
3. They have inbuilt potential hence can be used as source of energy (Solar cells)
4. Diodes being wave shapers, they can be used as good switches,
5. We have used many times diodes as a transition switch from low current source to high current region.

I hope this answered your query, May be other members can also put more light on the subject.
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