Discrete
Schottky Diodes (SKY)
Low-forward-drop, fast diodes for power rectification and low-loss steering.
What is it?
A Schottky diode uses a metal-semiconductor junction instead of a P-N junction. Result: lower forward voltage (0.2-0.5 V vs 0.7 V silicon) and no reverse-recovery time. Trade-off: higher reverse leakage and lower reverse voltage capability. Schottky is the diode of choice wherever low conduction loss matters, power converter output rectifiers, OR-ing diodes for redundant supplies, RF detectors.
When do you need it?
- Buck / boost converter output rectifier (sync rectifier replaces where efficiency really matters).
- Diode-OR for dual-supply redundancy (e.g., USB + barrel jack power).
- Reverse-polarity protection where every millivolt of drop counts.
- Solar-panel bypass diodes.
- RF / mixer detector diodes (very low VF Schottkys).
How to pick the right one
- Forward current (IF average / continuous)
- Must exceed continuous output current with thermal margin.
- Reverse voltage (VR)
- Must exceed maximum reverse voltage during converter switching. 40 V and 60 V common for buck outputs; up to 200 V for boost / flyback.
- Forward voltage at IF
- Lower = less conduction loss. Tradeoff: lower VF generally means higher leakage.
- Reverse leakage (IR)
- Can be significant at high temperature, check VR vs T curves.
- Package
- SOD-123 / 323 / 523 for low current (≤2 A), SMA / SMB / SMC for 3-10 A, TO-220 for higher.
What Magnias offers
Magnias Schottky diodes run from 30 mA small-signal parts to 10 A rectifiers (SS10200C), mostly 20 V to 200 V, in packages from CSP0402-2L, DFN0603-2L and SOD923 up to SMA, SMB, SMC and TO-220C. AEC-Q101 versions are available for many parts (see each datasheet).
Common questions
When should I use Schottky vs Fast Recovery Rectifier?
Schottky if VR ≤ ~150 V (above that, Schottky leakage gets bad). Fast Recovery for higher voltage (boost / flyback / PFC) where leakage matters more than VF.
Why is my Schottky running hot?
Reverse leakage. At high T, Schottky leakage can rise 100×, dissipating power continuously even when reverse-biased. Pick a lower-leakage variant or move to a fast-recovery silicon part.
Is my older Schottky part still available?
Some older part numbers are discontinued. Send your Magnias FAE the part number (or its VR, IF and package) and we will point you to the current equivalent.