Editing Diode (section)

===Reverse-recovery effect===
Following the end of forwarding conduction in a p–n type diode, a reverse current can flow for a short time. The device does not attain its blocking capability until the mobile charge in the junction is depleted.

The effect can be significant when switching large currents very quickly.<ref>[http://ecee.colorado.edu/~ecen5817/hw/hw1/Diode%20reverse%20recovery%20in%20a%20boost%20converter.pdf Diode reverse recovery in a boost converter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007214034/http://ecee.colorado.edu/~ecen5817/hw/hw1/Diode%20reverse%20recovery%20in%20a%20boost%20converter.pdf |date=2011-10-07 }}. ECEN5817. ecee.colorado.edu</ref> A certain amount of "reverse recovery time" {{mvar|t}}<sub>r</sub> (on the order of tens of nanoseconds to a few microseconds) may be required to remove the reverse recovery charge {{mvar|Q}}<sub>r</sub> from the diode. During this recovery time, the diode can actually conduct in the reverse direction. This might give rise to a large current in the reverse direction for a short time while the diode is reverse biased. The magnitude of such a reverse current is determined by the operating circuit (i.e., the series resistance) and the diode is said to be in the storage-phase.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1109/LED.2014.2353301| title = Gate-Controlled Reverse Recovery for Characterization of LDMOS Body Diode| journal = IEEE Electron Device Letters| volume = 35| issue = 11| page = 1079| year = 2014| last1 = Elhami Khorasani | first1 = A. | last2 = Griswold | first2 = M. | last3 = Alford | first3 = T. L.|bibcode = 2014IEDL...35.1079E | s2cid = 7012254}}</ref> <!-- That is to say, current will effectively flow from the cathode to the anode! --> In certain real-world cases it is important to consider the losses that are incurred by this non-ideal diode effect.<ref>[http://ecee.colorado.edu/~ecen5797/course_material/SwLossSlides.pdf Inclusion of Switching Loss in the Averaged Equivalent Circuit Model] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007214049/http://ecee.colorado.edu/~ecen5797/course_material/SwLossSlides.pdf |date=2011-10-07 }}. ECEN5797. ecee.colorado.edu</ref> However, when the [[slew rate]] of the current is not so severe (e.g. Line frequency) the effect can be safely ignored. For most applications, the effect is also negligible for [[Schottky diode]]s.

The reverse current ceases abruptly when the stored charge is depleted; this abrupt stop is exploited in [[step recovery diode]]s for the generation of extremely short pulses.