Digitally signed by Eby P Kurien
Eby P DN: cn=Eby P Kurien, c=IN,
email=mail@[Link]
Reason: I am the author of this
Experiment No : 13 Kurien document
Location: Vadodara
Date: 2021.01.21 21:14:35 +05'30'
Aim : To draw the V - I characteristic curve of a p-n junction in forward and reverse
bias.
Apparatus : A p-n junction diode, battery , rheostat, 0-3 V voltmeter, 0 – 10 V
voltmeter, milli-ammeter (0-100), micro-ammeter (0 – 100), connecting wires.
Theory : Forward bias – When the p-type semi-conductor is connected to the positive
and the n- type semiconductor is connected to the negative terminal of a battery, the
diode is in forward bias. On increasing the forward bias voltage the current starts
increasing rapidly after a certain voltage called as the cut-in voltage or the knee
voltage.
Reverse bias – When the p-type semi-conductor is connected to the negative
and the n- type semiconductor is connected to the positive terminal of a battery, the
diode is in reverse bias. On increasing the reverse bias voltage, there is a small reverse
current in the order of micro-amperes which increases slightly.
Procedure :
i) For forward bias :
1. Make the circuit diagram as shown in the figure.
2. Note the least count of the voltmeter and milli-ammeter.
3. By moving the rheostat make the voltmeter reading zero and note the current
measured by the milli-ammeter.
4. Slowly move the rheostat till the voltmeter shows 0.1 V and then note the
corresponding current in the milli-ammeter.
5. Repeat the above step for voltmeter readings 0.2V, 0.3V etc till the voltmeter
reads 0.7V(For Ge diode 0.4V)
6. Plot a graph between the forward bias voltage and current, taking the voltage
along the x- axis and current along the y-axis.
i) For reverse bias :
1. Make the circuit diagram as shown in the figure.
2. Note the least count of the voltmeter and micro-ammeter.
3. By moving the rheostat make the voltmeter reading zero and note the current
measured by the micro-ammeter.
4. Increase the reverse voltage in steps of 1V till the voltmeter reads 10V and
measure the corresponding reverse current in the each case.
5. Plot a graph between the reverse bias voltage and current, taking the voltage
along the x- axis and current along the y-axis.
Result :
The V - I characteristic curve of a p-n junction in forward and reverse bias has
been plotted.
The junction resistance in forward bias = _________ Ω
Precautions :
1. All connections should be clean and tight.
2. Forward bias voltage beyond breakdown should not be supplied.
3. Reverse bias voltage beyond breakdown should not be supplied.
Sources of error :
1. The junction diode may be faulty.
2. The connections are not clean or tight.
Eby P Kurien
ebypkurien@[Link]
Circuit Diagram
Forward bias Reverse bias
Observations
a) Forward bias
i. L.C. of voltmeter ______________ V
ii. L.C. of milli-ammeter ______________ mA
iii. Zero error of voltmeter ______________ V
iv. Zero error of milli-ammeter ___________ mA
b) Reverse bias
i. L.C. of voltmeter ______________V
ii. L.C. of micro-ammeter ______________ μA
iii. Zero error of voltmeter ______________ V
iv. Zero error of micro-ammeter _________ μA
Observation Table
Forward bias Forward
Sr. No.
voltage (V) Current (mA)
1 0
2 0.1
3 0.2
4 0.3
5 0.4
6 0.5
7 0.6
8 0.7
9 0.8
Reverse bias Reverse
Sr. No.
voltage (V) Current (μA)
1 0
2 1
3 2
4 3
5 4
- -
- -
- -
- 10
Eby P Kurien
ebypkurien@[Link]