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Zero Applied Bias in pn Junctions

The document discusses the pn junction, including: 1) At zero applied bias, there is a built-in potential barrier across the junction due to the separation of charges in the p and n regions. 2) Poisson's equation is used to determine the electric field in each region, which is continuous across the junction and assumes zero value in the neutral p region. 3) The space charge width is the sum of the depletion widths in the p and n regions.

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15 views17 pages

Zero Applied Bias in pn Junctions

The document discusses the pn junction, including: 1) At zero applied bias, there is a built-in potential barrier across the junction due to the separation of charges in the p and n regions. 2) Poisson's equation is used to determine the electric field in each region, which is continuous across the junction and assumes zero value in the neutral p region. 3) The space charge width is the sum of the depletion widths in the p and n regions.

Uploaded by

Rubyat
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chapter 7

The pn Junction
ZERO APPLIED BIAS
• Built-in Potential Barrier
ZERO APPLIED BIAS
• We can define the potentials ϕp and ϕn

• In then region, the electron concentration in the conduction


band is given by
ZERO APPLIED BIAS

the built-in potential


Electric Field
The electric field is determined from
Poisson's equation which, for a one
dimensional analysis, is

The electric field in the p region is found by


integrating Equation
Electric Field
• The electric field is assumed to be zero in the neutral p region for x
< -xp, since the currents are zero in thermal equilibrium. As there
are no surface charge densities within the pn junction structure.
the electric field is a continuous function. The constant of
integration is determined by setting E = 0 at x = -x,. The electric
field in the p region is then given by

In the n region, the electric field is determined from


The electric field is also
continuous at the metallurgical
junction, or at x = 0
Space Charge Width

W = xn+ xp
REVERSE APPLIED BIAS
REVERSE APPLIED BIAS
• The total potential barrier, indicated by Vtotal
has increased
Space Charge Width and Electric Field
Junction Capacitance
One-Sided Junctions
• Consider a special pn junction called the one-sided junction.
If, for example, Na >> Nd. this junction is referred to as a
p+njunction.
• The total space charge width

The junction capacitance

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