Thin Film Diode

In general, the term Thin Film Diode (TFD) may refer to any diode produced using thin film technology.

Within the flat panel display industry TFD more often refers to thin film bi-directional diodes, also known as metal-insulator-metal (MIM) TFDs or nonlinear resistors. Bi-directional MIM TFDs have very low current flow at low applied voltages, but then begin to conduct electricity above a threshold voltage, of either positive or negative polarity. Owing to this behavior these two terminal devices may be used as a switch. The exact threshold voltage at which a MIM TFD switches on and begins to conduct electricity depends on its physical dimensions, such as thickness of the insulating layer, as well as the physical properties of the materials from which it is made, such as the work function of each metal layer.