Using an L.E.D. as a diode to control current flow?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
Sign up Log in
2 replies · 2K views
rollcast
Messages
403
Reaction score
0
I'm trying to make a small crystal radio and have managed to wire up the antenna and the head phone jack but I haven't got any diodes suitable for the voltages I'm using. I have some LEDs but will these dissipate too much current or cause any harmonics or interference with the signal?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
It might work, but LEDs tend to tolerate only low reverse voltages (say, a few volts rather than the 700 volts of a 1N4007 power diode or even the 100 volts of a 1N4148 signal diode). In forward mode, they also usually have a much higher voltage drop (1.5 to 4 V) as compared to the ballpark for most diodes (0.3 to 0.7 V)
 
For a crystal radio, you will need diodes that turn on easily with a very low voltage.

Suitable diodes are small signal Schottky diodes, like the BAT85, or point contact Germanium diodes.

These Germanium diodes are fairly scarce now, but you may find them on Ebay or somewhere.
Like these:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LOT-10-1N34A-Germanium-Diode-AM-FM-Radio-TV-/220585057201?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item335be4dbb1

LEDs are not suitable, nor are any kind of Silicon diode.

I haven't got any diodes suitable for the voltages I'm using.

What does this mean? A crystal radio (aka crystal set) does not normally use any input power apart from what comes from the antenna.