Why depletion layer is formed in pn junction?
The depletion region is caused by the diffusion of charges. Because of the concentration gradient holes diffuse from p-side to the n-side across the junction while electrons diffuse from the n-side to the p-side. The holes and the electrons diffusing towards each other combine near the junction.
What is depletion layer of a diode?
The word depletion in English refers to the decrease in the quantity of something. Similarly, in semiconductors, the depletion region is the layer where the flow of charges decreases. This region acts as the barrier that opposes the flow of electrons from the n-side to the p-side of the semiconductor diode.
Where does depletion occur?
In semiconductor physics, the depletion region, also called depletion layer, depletion zone, junction region, space charge region or space charge layer, is an insulating region within a conductive, doped semiconductor material where the mobile charge carriers have been diffused away, or have been forced away by an …
Why does depletion layer decrease in forward bias?
In a P-N junction diode, the width of the depletion region decreases in forward bias. This is due to the electrons being attracted by the positive terminal of the battery, and hence the negative ions disappear. Thus, the forward bias narrows the depletion region, due to the carriers from the battery terminals.
What is depletion layer and barrier potential?
The depletion region is the space charge region on either side of the junction, which got depleted of free charges. The potential difference developed across the junction and opposes the diffusion of charge and brings equilibrium condition is known as the potential barrier.
What happens to depletion region of P-N junction?
If a p-n junction is reverse biased, the depletion region increases.
What are the main components of depletion layer?
Note: The depletion layer consists of both electrons and protons but they are immobile in nature therefore the correct answer would be immobile ions. The donor and acceptor atom get a positive and negative charge due to which the PN junction forms.
Why is depletion layer thickness?
The positive terminal of the external battery attracts the majority carrier electrons from the n-region and its negative terminal attract the majority carrier holes from p-region. Due to it, the majority charge carriers move away from the junction. This increases the width of the depletion layer.
What happens to depletion layer in forward bias pn junction diode?
When a junction diode is Forward Biased the thickness of the depletion region reduces and the diode acts like a short circuit allowing full circuit current to flow.
What is potential barrier in pn junction?
The potential difference required for the electrons to be passed across the electric field is called the potential barrier. The barrier potential of a P-N junction depends on the type of material, amount of doping and temperature of the semiconductor.
What is depletion or barrier layer?
Depletion layer is the region created around the p-n junction which is devoid of free charge carriers and has immobile ions.It is created due to diffusion of majority carriers across the junction when p-n junction is formed.
What is the width of depletion layer?
The physical width of the depletion region in a typical Si diode ranges from a fraction of a micrometer to tens of micrometers depending on device geometry, doping profile, and external bias.
What is the depletion region in PN junction?
– Physics Q&A What is the depletion region in pn junction? Depletion region is seen in pn junction of a diode. The region of positive charge and negative charge on either side of the junction is termed as the depletion region.
What is depletion region of P-type material?
Similarly the holes from the p-type material diffuse into n-type material resulting in a layer of positive ions in the n-type material. These two layers of positive and negative ions form the depletion region. The term “depletion” refers to the fact that the region near the junction is depleted of their respective majority charge carriers.
What is formation of depletion layer?
Formation of Depletion layer and its behavior. If P-type semiconductor is joined with N-type semiconductor, a P-N junction is formed. The region in which the P-type and N-type semiconductors are joined is called P-N junction. This p-n junction separates n-type semiconductor from p-type semiconductor.
What is depletion region of a diode?
Depletion region is seen in pn junction of a diode. The region of positive charge and negative charge on either side of the junction is termed as the depletion region. When the p-type and the n-type materials are held in contact with each other, the junction among them behaves differently from either side of the material alone.