A p - n junction is formed from germanium of conductivity 0.8 ohm-1 cm...
And 1.2 ohm-1 cm-1 on n-side. The junction has an area of 0.5 cm2 and the potential barrier is 0.3 V. Determine the current flowing through the junction when a forward bias of 0.4 V is applied.
To determine the current flowing through the junction, we can use the diode equation:
I = Is * (e^(Vd/Vt) - 1)
Where:
I is the current flowing through the junction
Is is the reverse saturation current
Vd is the voltage across the junction
Vt is the thermal voltage, which is approximately 0.026 V at room temperature
First, we need to calculate the reverse saturation current (Is) using the area and conductivity of the junction.
Is = (qnDpAp + qnDnAn) / 2
Where:
q is the charge of an electron (1.6 * 10^-19 C)
Dp and Dn are the diffusion coefficients of holes and electrons, respectively
Ap and An are the cross-sectional areas of the p-side and n-side, respectively
Assuming the diffusion coefficients are equal, and using the given values:
Dp = Dn = 1 cm2/s
Ap = An = 0.5 cm2
Is = (1.6 * 10^-19 C * 1 cm2/s * 0.8 ohm-1 cm-1 * 0.5 cm2 + 1.6 * 10^-19 C * 1 cm2/s * 1.2 ohm-1 cm-1 * 0.5 cm2) / 2
= (0.4 * 10^-19 C + 0.6 * 10^-19 C) / 2
= 0.5 * 10^-19 C
Next, we can calculate the current (I) using the forward bias voltage (Vd = 0.4 V) and the thermal voltage (Vt = 0.026 V).
I = (0.5 * 10^-19 C) * (e^(0.4 V/0.026 V) - 1)
≈ (0.5 * 10^-19 C) * (e^15.385 - 1)
≈ (0.5 * 10^-19 C) * (4.8 * 10^6 - 1)
≈ (0.5 * 10^-19 C) * (4.8 * 10^6)
≈ 2.4 * 10^-13 A
Therefore, the current flowing through the junction when a forward bias of 0.4 V is applied is approximately 2.4 * 10^-13 A.