Inverting Linear Half Wave Rectifier (Negative Output)

It is a rectifier circuit with op-amp that provides negative output. It is same as the inverting linear half wave rectifier (Positive output). There is little difference in connecting the diodes. It this circuit diodes must be connected just in opposite of the positive output circuit. When the applied voltage is positive D1 is off and D2 is on. And the output is the negative of the input. So the output is –Ei. And when the applied voltage is negative D1 is on and D2 is off. And the output is 0 volt.     

Inverting Linear Half Wave Rectifier diagram

Inverting Linear Half Wave Rectifier (Positive Output)

We can make a rectifier with only diode. But it has a limitation. It can not rectify the applied voltage below .6 volts. Because of the required voltages to make a diode active is more than .7 volts.

On the other hand if we use an op-amp as a rectifier we are not to face such kind of limitations.

To build a rectifier with op-amp we have to use two diodes. In this circuit we denoted two diodes as D1 and D2 respectively. During the positive portion of the applied voltage D1 is active. And output voltage is 0 volt. For the negative portion of the applied voltage D2 is active. And the output voltage is +Ei.  

Inverting Linear Half Wave Rectifier diagram