In phase detector, the op-Amp basically acts as a zero crossing detector. If a sine wave is applied at the i/p, we get square wave at the op-Amp o/p (at point A).
The capacitor C & resistor R, from a passive differentiator so across R we get positive Negative spikes at the point B.
When positive pulse or spike reaches at the anode of the diode. Hence diode becomes forward biased. Therefore it allows the spike to pass through the load.
When negative spike will reach at point B, diode is reverse biased. Hence it does not pass the negative spike towards load. Thus we get the output across RL or only positive spike.
It can be used to measure phase angle & two voltages under the phase measurement are applied to two different pulse generation. These voltages are then converted into positive trigger pulse. These pulses are applied to two channel of the CRO. The time duration between the pulses corresponding to voltages represent the phase between them.