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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of a semiconductor diode?
What is the main function of a semiconductor diode?
What does the symbol for a p-n junction diode represent?
What does the symbol for a p-n junction diode represent?
What happens to the width of the depletion region when a semiconductor diode is forward-biased?
What happens to the width of the depletion region when a semiconductor diode is forward-biased?
What are the two main components of a semiconductor diode?
What are the two main components of a semiconductor diode?
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What happens to the barrier voltage when a small amount of voltage is applied across the semiconductor diode?
What happens to the barrier voltage when a small amount of voltage is applied across the semiconductor diode?
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In reverse bias, what happens to the width of the depletion region when an external voltage is applied across the semiconductor diode?
In reverse bias, what happens to the width of the depletion region when an external voltage is applied across the semiconductor diode?
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What is the condition for a semiconductor diode to start conducting current?
What is the condition for a semiconductor diode to start conducting current?
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What happens to the motion of carriers when the potential is increased by a significant value across the semiconductor diode?
What happens to the motion of carriers when the potential is increased by a significant value across the semiconductor diode?
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What is the overall barrier voltage in reverse bias when an external voltage is applied across the semiconductor diode?
What is the overall barrier voltage in reverse bias when an external voltage is applied across the semiconductor diode?
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What type of bias occurs when we connect the positive terminal of a battery to the n-side and the negative terminal to the p-side of a semiconductor diode?
What type of bias occurs when we connect the positive terminal of a battery to the n-side and the negative terminal to the p-side of a semiconductor diode?
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Study Notes
Semiconductor Diode Functions
- The primary function of a semiconductor diode is to allow current to flow in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction.
- This rectification capability is key in various electronic applications, including power supplies and signal processing.
P-N Junction Diode Symbol
- The symbol for a p-n junction diode consists of a triangle pointing to a line; the triangle represents the anode (p-type) and the line represents the cathode (n-type) terminal.
Depletion Region in Forward Bias
- When a semiconductor diode is forward-biased, the width of the depletion region decreases, allowing more charge carriers to recombine and enabling current flow.
Components of a Semiconductor Diode
- A semiconductor diode consists of two main components: the p-type material, which has an abundance of holes (positive charge carriers), and the n-type material, which has an abundance of electrons (negative charge carriers).
Barrier Voltage with Voltage Application
- When a small amount of voltage is applied across a semiconductor diode, the barrier voltage decreases, facilitating the flow of current through the diode.
Depletion Region in Reverse Bias
- In reverse bias, when an external voltage is applied across the semiconductor diode, the width of the depletion region increases, which limits the flow of current further.
Condition for Current Conduction
- A semiconductor diode starts conducting current when the voltage across it exceeds the threshold known as the forward voltage; this typically occurs when the anode is made more positive than the cathode.
Carrier Motion with Increased Potential
- When the applied potential across the semiconductor diode is increased significantly, the movement of carriers (electrons and holes) accelerates, enhancing current flow through the device.
Barrier Voltage in Reverse Bias
- In reverse bias, when an external voltage is applied, the overall barrier voltage increases, which restricts the flow of current through the diode.
Forward Bias Configuration
- Forward bias occurs when the positive terminal of a battery is connected to the n-side and the negative terminal is connected to the p-side of a semiconductor diode, allowing current to flow.
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Description
Test your knowledge about semiconductor diodes with this quiz. Learn about the two-terminal electronic component, its low resistance in one direction, high resistance in the other, and the structure of p-n junction diodes.