KONKAN GYANPEETH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, KARJAT.

(Affiliated to University of Mumbai, Approved by A.I.C.T.E., New Delhi.)

Konkan Gyanpeeth Shaikshanik Sankul, Vengaon Road, Dahivali, Karjat, Dist.-Raigad.410201. (M.S.)

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & HUMANITIES

ENGINEERING PHYSICS
Experiment No.

Aim:- To Determine I-V characteristic of Light emitting diode

Apparatus:- LED, Ammeter (0-50 mA), Voltmeter (0-10 V), DC power supply,
1KΩ resistance, bread board, connecting wires.

Theory:- A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor diode that emits light when
an electric current is applied in forward direction of the device as in simple LED circuit.
The effect is a form of electroluminescence where incoherent and narrow-spectrum light is
emitted from the p-n junction.

The light emitting diode simply, we know as a diode. When the diode is forward biased,
then the electrons & holes are moving fast across the junction and they are combining
constantly, removing one another out. Soon after the electrons are moving from the n-type
to the p-type silicon, it combines with the holes, then it disappears. Hence it makes the
complete atom & more stable and it gives the little burst of energy in the form of a tiny
packet or photon of light.

Also, nearly all modern light emitting diodes have their cathode, ( – ) terminal identified
by either a notch or flat spot on the body or by the cathode lead being shorter than the
other as the anode ( + ) lead is longer than the cathode (k).
Unlike normal incandescent lamps and bulbs which generate large amounts of heat when
illuminated, the light emitting diode produces a “cold” generation of light which leads to
high efficiencies than the normal “light bulb” because most of the generated energy
radiates away within the visible spectrum. As LEDs are solid-state devices, they can be
extremely small and durable and provide much longer lamp life than normal light sources.
Circuit Diagram:- LED in forward bias.

Procedure:-

1. Connect the power supply, voltmeter, ammeter with the diode as shown in the
figure. You can use two multimeter (one to measure current through diode and
other to measure voltage across diode).
2. Increase voltage from the power supply from 0V in step as shown in the
observation table
3. Measure voltage across diode and current through diode. Note down readings in
the observation table.
4. Plot the graphs of Diode voltage v/s. Diode current
Observations Table:-

Sr. Forward voltage(volts) Forward current(mA)

No.
1

10

Graph:-

The graph is plotted, by taking forward voltage on the positive x axis and forward current

on the positive y axis.

Result:-

1. The LED characteristics are similar to p-n junction forward characteristics.

2. The cut-in voltage (the voltage at which conduction begins) for LED is -------- Volts.

Precautions:-

1. Make sure that the connections are tight.

2. Take care to apply suitable forward voltages across the LED so that suitable forward
currents flow through the LED. Otherwise the LED may be damaged.