{"schema":"https://ver.cy/schemas/card/1.0.0","id":"vr.tr.diode","code":"thing-q11656","url":"https://ver.cy/models/thing/q11656/","name":"diode","alternateNames":["crystal detector","demodulation diode","transient-voltage-suppression diode","vacuum diode","semiconductor diode","photo diode","MPS Diode","6D22S","6Ts10P","RA0007A","EA52","Fleming valve"],"kind":"thing","status":"published","version":"0.2.0-wave.4","language":"en","classifiers":{"family":"Thing Registry","category":"Physical world and living systems","entryKind":"thing","plane":"PHY","domain":["PHY.OBJ"],"industry":[],"navPath":"","tags":[],"facets":{}},"whatItIs":"A two-terminal electronic component that conducts current mainly in one direction, most commonly a semiconductor diode made from a p-n junction or a metal-semiconductor Schottky junction, with earlier forms the registry aliases name such as the vacuum diode, patented by John Ambrose Fleming in 1904, and the crystal detector or cat s whisker used in early radio, and types such as demodulation diodes, photodiodes that convert light into current, transient-voltage-suppression diodes that protect circuits from surges, Zener diodes and light-emitting diodes; diodes are used for rectification, signal detection, voltage regulation and protection. The registry lists diodes as both active and passive components, a classification that varies between sources.","purpose":"Let an agent explain diodes, relay operation, types, characteristics and applications from electronics sources, describe the named types, and distinguish diodes from transistors, rectifiers as circuits, thyristors and resistors.","scope":{"in":[],"out":[],"boundaries":[]},"distinguishingFeatures":["Unidirectional conduction","Forward voltage drop","Reverse breakdown","Many specialised types"],"structure":{"bundles":[{"id":"understand","name":"Understand","description":"What a diode is.","layers":[{"id":"definition","name":"Definition","description":"Definition.","findings":[{"id":"definition-finding","name":"Definition","description":"Definition.","questions":[{"text":"What is a diode, and how does it differ from transistors, rectifiers, thyristors and resistors?","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Is someone working on mains-powered circuits, in which case they should isolate power and follow electrical safety rules?","kind":"boundary"}]}]},{"id":"types","name":"Types","description":"Named types.","findings":[{"id":"types-finding","name":"Types","description":"Types.","questions":[{"text":"What are crystal detectors, vacuum diodes, demodulation diodes, TVS diodes and photodiodes?","kind":"definition"},{"text":"Which entry fits the specific type?","kind":"action"}]}]}]},{"id":"physics","name":"Physics","description":"Physics.","layers":[{"id":"junction","name":"P-n junction","description":"P-n junction.","findings":[{"id":"junction-finding","name":"P-n junction","description":"P-n junction.","questions":[{"text":"How does a p-n junction allow current in one direction?","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which references are standard?","kind":"provenance"}]}]},{"id":"curve","name":"I-V curve","description":"Characteristics.","findings":[{"id":"curve-finding","name":"I-V curve","description":"I-V curve.","questions":[{"text":"What do forward voltage, reverse leakage and breakdown mean on an I-V curve?","kind":"measurement"},{"text":"Which sources are cited?","kind":"provenance"}]}]}]},{"id":"history","name":"History","description":"History.","layers":[{"id":"vacuum","name":"Vacuum","description":"Fleming valve.","findings":[{"id":"vacuum-finding","name":"Vacuum","description":"Vacuum.","questions":[{"text":"How did the Fleming valve detect radio signals?","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which entry fits Fleming valve?","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"crystal","name":"Crystal","description":"Cat s whisker.","findings":[{"id":"crystal-finding","name":"Crystal","description":"Crystal.","questions":[{"text":"How did crystal detectors work in early radios?","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Is the information accurate?","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]},{"id":"context","name":"Context","description":"Applications.","layers":[{"id":"power","name":"Power","description":"Rectification.","findings":[{"id":"power-finding","name":"Power","description":"Power.","questions":[{"text":"How do diodes convert AC to DC in power supplies?","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Which entry fits bridge rectifier?","kind":"action"}]}]},{"id":"protection","name":"Protection","description":"Surge protection.","findings":[{"id":"protection-finding","name":"Protection","description":"Protection.","questions":[{"text":"How do TVS diodes protect electronics from surges and ESD?","kind":"provenance"},{"text":"Is the information current?","kind":"boundary"}]}]}]}]},"agentConduct":{"may":["Identify diodes, read their markings and explain their function.","Test or replace diodes in equipment the agent is authorized to service, with power isolated.","Check a diode's rated voltage and current against the circuit before fitting it."],"mustNot":["Work on circuits with mains or high voltage while they are energised.","Fit a diode with polarity or ratings incompatible with the intended circuit function, including intended reverse-biased operation of Zener and protection diodes.","Look into high-power laser diodes or remove their safety housing.","Dispose of electronic parts with household waste where separate collection is required."],"requiresHuman":["Modifying protective or safety circuits in equipment others use."]},"ethics":{"considerations":["Faulty or wrongly fitted diodes can start fires or damage equipment people rely on.","Electronic waste harms workers and the environment when handled carelessly."],"affectedParties":["Users of the equipment","Technicians","Recycling workers"]},"owners":{"steward":"The owner of the equipment it is fitted in.","roles":[],"masterSystems":[]},"relations":[{"target":"Q11653","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q12492106","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"Q6867168","type":"parent","note":"registry parent class"},{"target":"electronic component","type":"related","note":"in registry terms"},{"target":"light-emitting diode","type":"related"},{"target":"rectifier","type":"related"},{"target":"transistor","type":"related"}],"interaction":{"identity":{"applicability":"required","items":["Vercy registry: vr.tr.diode","Wikidata: Q11656 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11656)"]},"properties":{"applicability":"required","items":["silicon forward voltage: about 0.6-0.7 V - typical","Fleming valve patent: 1904 year","Schottky forward voltage: about 0.2-0.4 V - typical"]},"recognition":{"applicability":"required","items":["Two-terminal one-way conductor","Crystal detector, demodulation diode, transient-voltage-suppression diode, vacuum diode, semiconductor diode, photodiode","Transistors amplify and switch with three terminals; rectifiers are circuits; thyristors latch; resistors limit current in both directions","Small cylindrical or surface-mount components with a band marking the cathode, or glass vacuum tubes historically."]},"capabilities":{"applicability":"required","items":["explain operation","relay types and characteristics","describe named types","relay applications"]},"hazards":{"applicability":"required","items":["Reverse polarity damage","Overheating and thermal runaway","Mains voltage shock in rectifier circuits"]},"interfaces":{"applicability":"required","items":["IEC 60747 semiconductor devices","JEDEC standards","RoHS restrictions on hazardous substances"]},"context":{"applicability":"required","items":["Controlling current direction in circuits.","rectifier diodes","Schottky diodes","Zener and TVS diodes","photodiodes and LEDs","vacuum and crystal diodes"]}},"sources":[{"title":"Wikidata item Q11656: diode","url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11656","note":"identity and sense of the item"},{"title":"Wikipedia: Diode","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode","note":"general description of the item"}],"openQuestions":["Should the active versus passive classification be documented?","Should photodiodes be a separate entry?","How should datasheet parameters be linked?"],"resources":{"spec":"/models/things/publications/thing-q11656/spec.json"},"provenance":{"origin":"thing registry research (pass 2)","builtFrom":["models/things/publications/thing-q11656/spec.json"],"providers":["Claude"],"researchStatus":"unreviewed","generatedAt":"2026-09-14T01:11:03Z","builder":"tools/build_cards.py@1.0.0"},"completeness":{"sections":{"classifiers":"filled","whatItIs":"filled","purpose":"filled","distinguishingFeatures":"filled","structure":"filled","agentConduct":"filled","ethics":"filled","owners":"filled","relations":"filled","interaction.identity":"filled","interaction.properties":"filled","interaction.recognition":"filled","interaction.capabilities":"filled","interaction.hazards":"filled","interaction.interfaces":"filled","interaction.context":"filled","sources":"filled"},"notes":{"_gate":"Published through the thing publication gate 1.0 on 2026-10-07T10:10:25+00:00: completeness 1.00; sense: Wikidata description; 2 live sources; review by codex: pass"},"score":1.0}}