Which type of rectification does a single diode perform?

A single diode performs half wave rectification, which is the process of converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) by allowing only one half (either the positive or the negative) of the AC waveform to pass through while blocking the other half. This results in a pulsed DC output that only includes the positive half-cycles of the input AC signal.

In half wave rectification, during each positive half-cycle of the AC input, the diode becomes forward biased and conducts current, while during the negative half-cycle, the diode becomes reverse biased and blocks current flow. This simple mechanism effectively transforms the AC into a form of DC, but it is less efficient compared to other forms as it does not utilize both halves of the waveform.

Other rectification methods, such as full wave rectification, use multiple diodes to rectify both halves of the AC waveform, resulting in a smoother and more efficient DC output. Similarly, dual wave and polyphase rectification involve more complex arrangements and circuits that utilize multiple phases or components to achieve a higher quality of rectification. However, a single diode's capability is limited to the half wave process.