A constant-current diode is an electronic device that limits current to a maximal specified value for the device. It is known as a current-limiting diode (CLD) or current-regulating diode (CRD). Current limiting diode - internal structure

Current limiting diode - internal structure

It consists of an n-channel JFET with the gate shorted to the source, which functions like a two-terminal current limiter (analogous to a voltage-limiting

Zener diode A Zener diode is a type of diode designed to exploit the Zener effect to affect electric current to flow against the normal direction from anode to cathode, when the voltage across its terminals exceeds a certain characteristic threshold, the ''Z ...

). It allows a current through it to rise to a certain value, but not higher. Note that some devices are unidirectional and voltage across the device must have only one polarity for it to operate as a CLD, whereas other devices are bidirectional and can operate properly with either polarity. Wide-bandgap materials such as

silicon carbide Silicon carbide (SiC), also known as carborundum (), is a hard chemical compound containing silicon and carbon. A wide bandgap semiconductor, it occurs in nature as the extremely rare mineral moissanite, but has been mass-produced as a powder a ...

have been used in production devices to enable high-voltage applications in the kilovolt range.

References

Siliconix Siliconix Inc., later Temic Siliconix Inc. was a pioneering American semiconductor company known for its MOSFET designs. Now a subsidiary brand of Vishay, it was founded by Frances and Bill Hugle in 1962. History Siliconix was incorporated on ...

/ Vishay
1N5283 to 1N5314 diode datasheet
Central Semiconductor ;JFET
2N5457/8/9 & MMBF5457/8/9 JFET datasheet
ON Semiconductor (Former Fairchild) Diodes Over-current protection devices {{electronics-stub

References

External links