While the term bias has several meanings, in electronics it typically refers to the fixed DC voltage or current applied to an active device, such as a transistor or diode, to establish its proper operating point. Matsusada Precision's bipolar power supplies and high-voltage amplifiers feature a bias function, allowing users to apply a specific DC offset to the output voltage for the device under test.
In the context of diodes, the terms "forward bias" and "reverse bias" are fundamental. A diode is forward-biased when a positive voltage is applied to its P-type material (anode) and a negative voltage to its N-type material (cathode). Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for example, operate under forward bias to produce light.
Conversely, a diode is reverse-biased when a negative voltage is applied to the P-type material (anode) and a positive voltage to the N-type material (cathode). This configuration is commonly used for photodiodes. Under reverse bias, a negligible current flows in the dark, but when the photodiode is illuminated, a current proportional to the light intensity is generated, enabling light detection.
- Related words:
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- DC Bias
- Grid Bias
- Forward Biasing
- Reverse Biasing
- Pulse Bias
- Bias Power Supply
