Which type of semiconductor is commonly used as a current rectifier?

A diode is commonly used as a current rectifier due to its fundamental property of allowing current to flow in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction. This unidirectional current flow is essential in converting alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC), which is a critical function in many electronic circuits and power supply applications.

Diodes are specifically designed for this purpose, with a p-n junction that enables them to exhibit rectifying behavior. When AC voltage is applied across the diode, it conducts electricity only during the positive half of the cycle, effectively transforming the AC input into a pulsating form of DC. This is why diodes are integral components in power supplies and rectification circuits.

Other components, such as transistors and FETs (Field-Effect Transistors), serve different functions within circuits, often amplifying signals rather than rectifying current. Thyristors, while capable of controlling power and can also rectify under specific conditions, are more complex and used in specialized applications such as phase control in AC circuits rather than straightforward current rectification. Thus, in the context of simple rectification needs, diodes are the most commonly used semiconductors.