It is indicated earlier that when a p-n junction diode is forward biased
a large forward current flows, which is mainly due to majority
carriers. The depletion region near the junction is very very small,
under forward biased biased condition. In forward biased condition holes
get diffused into n-side from p-side while electrons get diffused into
p-side from n-side. So on p-side, the current carried by electrons which
is diffusion current due to minority carriers, decreases exponentially
with respect to distance measured from the junction. This current due to
electrons, on p-side which are minority carriers is denoted as Inp.
Similarly holes from p-side diffuse into n-side carry current which
decreases exponentially with respect to distance measured from the
junction. This current due to holes on n-side, which are minority
carriers is denoted as Ipn. If distance is denoted by x then,
Inp(x) = Current due to electrons in p-side as a function of x
Ipn(x) = Current due to holes in n-side as a function of x
At the junction i.e. at x = 0, electrons crossing from n-side to p-side constitute a current, Inp(0) in the same direction as holes crossing the junction from p-side to n-side constitute a current, Ipn(0).
Hence the current at the junction is the total conventional current I flowing through the circuit.
... I = Ipn(0) + Inp(0) ..................... (1)
Now Ipn(x) decreases on n-side as we move away from junction on n-side. Similarly Inp(x) decreases on p-side as we move away from junction on p-side.
But as the entire circuit is a series circuit, the total current must
be maintained at, independent of x. This indicates that on p-side there
exists one more current component which is due to holes on p-side which
are the majority carriers. It is denoted by Ipp (x) and the addition of the two currents on p-side is total current I.
Ipp (x) = Current due to holes in p-side.
Similarly on n-side, there exists one more current component which is
due to electrons o n-side, which are the majority carriers. It is
denoted as Inn(x) and the addition of the two currents on n-side is total current I.
Inn(x) = Current due to electrons in n-side.
On p-side, I = Ipp(x) + Inp(x) ................ (2)
On n-side, I = Inn(x) + Ipn(x) .................(3)
These current components are plotted as a function of distance in the Fig. 1.
Fig.1 Current components |
The current Ipp decreases towards the junction, at the junction enters the n-side and becomes Ipn which further decreases exponentially. Similarly the current Inn decreases towards the junction, at the junction enters the p-side and becomes Inp which also further decreases exponentially.
Note :
In forward bias condition, the current enters the p-side as a hole
current and leaves the n-side as an electron current, of the same
magnitude.
So sum
of the currents carried by electrons and holes at any point inside the
diode is always constant equal to total forward current I. But the
proportion due to holes and electrons in constituting the current varies
with the distance, from the junction.
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is that diagram fig1 correct?
ReplyDeleteYes
Deleteis that diagram fig1 correct?
ReplyDeleteyes it is correct
Deleteis that diagram fig1 correct?
ReplyDeleteHow does Ipp decreases
ReplyDeleteBecause density of holes decreases as we move towards junction.
ReplyDelete