Are there any minority carriers in a reverse-biased p-n junction?
Understand the Problem
The question asks about the presence of minority carriers in a reverse-biased p-n junction. We need to determine if minority carriers exist and, if so, their role in this condition.
Answer
Yes, minority carriers are present and contribute to a small current.
Yes, there are minority carriers in a reverse-biased p-n junction. These carriers contribute to a small leakage or saturation current.
Answer for screen readers
Yes, there are minority carriers in a reverse-biased p-n junction. These carriers contribute to a small leakage or saturation current.
More Information
In a reverse-biased p-n junction, the applied voltage causes the depletion region to widen. While the majority carriers are pushed away from the junction, minority carriers are driven towards it. These minority carriers, though few in number, contribute to a small reverse saturation current or leakage current.
Tips
A common misconception is that no current flows in a reverse-biased diode. While the current due to majority carriers is negligible, the minority carriers do contribute a small, but measurable, current.
Sources
- Reverse Bias As in forward bias, the drift current is limited by the number of minority carriers on either side of the p-n junction and is relatively unchanged by the increased electric field. - pveducation.org
- In a reverse biased diode, the minority carriers in each region are ... - quora.com
- Reverse Biased PN Junction | Semiconductor Diode - science-campus.com
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