Low voltage rectification

[MooseFET]

The Esaki (tunnel) diode is the closest passive device able to do that.

That isn't very passive and a backwards diode is closer.

 

[neon]

tunnel diodes conducts at that level but if you get to the peak and valley you end uip with a very hi freq oscillator. but for this kind of leve it will be ok.

 

[Jamie]

The Esaki (tunnel) diode is the closest passive device able to do that.

precision rectifier via an op-amp and a couple of components.

 

[Robert Baer]

That isn't very passive and a backwards diode is closer.

*ALL* diodes are passive.
THe "backwards diode" is an Esaki diode with Ip=Iv; net effect is
good rectification in the reverse (backwards) bias and a "breakdown" in
the region of 350+mV.

 

[MooseFET]

precision rectifier via an op-amp and a couple of components.

Or fewer with a comparitor such as LM339:

Vcc
!
------!+\ OC
! >------+-/\/\---Vcc
--!-/ !
! ! !
! Vee !
! !
------------+
!

 

[MooseFET]

*ALL* diodes are passive.

Many would disagree about the tunnel diode or the Gunn diode.

THe "backwards diode" is an Esaki diode with Ip=Iv; net effect is
good rectification in the reverse (backwards) bias and a "breakdown" in
the region of 350+mV.

You said "tunnel" The "backwards diode" is called that and not
"tunnel" in practice.