Forward Bias & Reverse Bias PN-

Junction
Basic Electronics
PN JUNCTION
When two types of
semiconductors
materials (P-type &
N-type) join
together for their
practical use then
the boundary
between these two
materials is called
PN-Junction.
DEPLETION REGION
Depletion region or
depletion layer is a
region in a P-N
junction where no
mobile charge carriers
are present. Depletion
layer acts like a barrier
that opposes the flow
of electrons from n-
side and holes from p-
side.
DIFFUSION CURRENT
Diffusion current is a
current in a
semiconductor caused
by the diffusion of
charge carriers (holes
and/or electrons). This
is the current which is
due to the transport of
charges occurring
because of non-
uniform concentration
of charged particles in
a semiconductor.
FORWARD BIAS
PN-JUNCTION
When the positive
terminal of the battery
is connected to the p-
type semiconductor
material and the
negative terminal of
the battery is
connected to the n-
type semiconductor
material this is called
the Forward Bias PN-
Junction.
DRIFT CURRENT
The flow of charge
carriers, which is
due to the applied
voltage or electric
field is called drift
current.
REVERSE BIAS
PN-JUNCTION
When the positive
terminal of the battery
is connected to the
n-type semiconductor
material and the
negative terminal of
the battery is
connected to the
p-type semiconductor
material this is called
the Reverse Bias PN-
Junction.
 REVERSE BIAS BREAKDOWN VOLTAGES

• If the reverse voltage applied on the p-n

junction diode is increased beyond certain
limit (max width of depletion region), the
junction breaks down and allows a large
reverse current. At this point, a small increase
in the voltage will rapidly increase the electric
current.
 BREAKDOWN OF DEPLETION REGION

• There are two types of breakdown of depleion

region.
 Avalanche breakdown
 Zener breakdown
 AVALANCHE BREAKDOWN

• The high-speed minority carriers, which

causes the depletion breakdown or junction
breakdown, is called avalanche breakdown.
 ZENER BREAKDOWN
• The strong electric field of the narrow
depletion region, which causes the junction
breakdown or depletion breakdown, is called
zener breakdown.
 DIODE
• A diode is a two-terminal electronic
component (device) that conducts the current
in one direction it has low resistance in one
direction, and high resistance in the other.
DIODE SYMBOL
DIODE CONSTRUCTION
A diode is formed
by joining two
equivalently doped
P-Type and N-Type
semiconductor.
WORKING OF DIODE
 Diode conducts only in
case of forward bias
connections ( +ive
terminal of battery is
connected with anode
(P-type material) of
diode).
 Diode blocks the flow of
current in case of
reverse bias connections
(+ive terminal of battery
is connected with
cathode (N-type
material) of diode)
 DIODE USES/APPLICATION
 Rectification (AC convert in DC)
 Logic Gates (AND, OR, NOR)
 Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
 Constant Voltage Supply (Zener Diode)
 Diodes in Solar Panels
 TYPES OF DIODE
 P-N junction diode
 Zener diode
 Photo diode
 Light emitting diode