Low leakage diodes

[Akuma60]

My nearby electronic store doesn't have in stock low leakage diodes (which are needed for the millenium switch) like the 1N456, 457, 458 etc.

Being a fan of Anderton's project, I have a load of 1N4001, so my ignorance makes me ask you, can a 1N4001 act like a low leakage diode for the Millenium switch (version 2) ?

Thanks

[R.G.]

Take a normal, everyday NPN transistor like the 2N3904, 2SC1815, BC549 or similar. The exact gain and other parameters of the transistor are not important. Carefully identify the collector, base and emitter leads. Cut off the emitter lead as close to the body of the transistor as you can.

What is left over is a low leakage diode. The collector-base junction of normal transistors is made to be as low on leakage as it can possibly be made. The base lead is the anode/arrow side, the collector is the bar/cathode side.

[Akuma60]

Make a low leakage diode with a 2N3904 ?  Neat, and so easy to get!!

Thanks