4.8.3 Comparison of intrinsic a
id Extrinsic Semiconductors
4.9 PN. JUNCTION
Definition
PN junction: When a Pype vemicon
iscalled PN Junction
tori joined to N-ype semiconductor, te contact surface
Mest semiconductor devices contain one or more P)junetions. apiece
is joined to apiece of N-type semiconductor in such a manner thet the crystal structure remains
continuous at the Boundary, then a new sttucture called PN"junction is formed. Suc a PN junetion
rakes a device which scaled semiconductor diode or PN junction diode Fi
junction
1 Pay semi
Fig, 113 PN junction.
SE Fae et on {ueTu 20086, 200607
en just formed, there
exists «concenration gradient near the junction, There are large numberof holes on P side while very
Small number of oles on side. Ths holes stat moving fom Psdeto V side i.e. fomigh concentration
trea towards low concentration area. This is called diffusion of hole from P side 10 side,RS
‘
_ ‘
Similarly the electrons on N side start diffusing across the son gusun <=
{junction into P region. This initial diffusion is shown in Fig. 1.14
‘As holes enter the N region, they find a number of donor atoms,
‘The holes recombine with the danor atoms. As donor atoms aecept
‘Additional holes. They become positively charged immobile ions. .
This happens immediately when holes cross the junction hence:
‘umber of positively charged immobile ions get formed near the
junction onside. 2S Homan
Atoms on P side are acceptor atoms. The electrons diffusing Fig. 114
from N side to P side recombine with acceptor atoms on P side,
‘As acceptor atoms accept additional electrons, they become negatively charged immobile ions. Such
negatively charged immobile ions get formed near the junetion on P- side. The formation of immobile
ions near the junctions is shown in the Fig. 1.15,
‘As more numberof holes diffuse on NV side, large positive charge s
junction, Eventually the diffusing holes which are positively charged,
et repelled due to accumulated positive charge on N side and the
diffusion of holes stops
Similarly due to large negative charge accumulated on P side,
the diffusing electrons get repelled and eventually the diffusion of
electrons also stops. Inthe region near the junction, there exists a
region of negative immobile charges on P side and a region of
Positive immobile charges on N side. In this region there are no
‘mobile charge carriers. Such a region is called depletion region
‘or depletion layer or space - charge region. Thus, «barrier are
set up against further movement of charge carriers ic. holes and
electrons. Ths is called potential barrier or junction barrier,
accumulated on N side near the
(2 Barrier Potential [UPTU 2005.06)
‘Near the junction on one side there are many positive charges and on the other side there are many
negative charges. According to Columb’s aw there exists a force between these opposite charges. The
direetion ofan electric field is from positive towards negative charge.
‘The opposite charges existing near the junction creates a potential difference (Voltage) across the
junction, The electric field between the charges is responsible for producing potential difference across
‘the junction. This potential difference has fixed polarity. tact as a 2arrer to the flow of electrons and
hholes. across the junction. Hence this potential is called barrier fotential or junction potential or
builtin potential barrier of PN junction.
‘The barrier potential is expressed in volts. Its valve is called height ofthe barrier. It is denoted as Vy
Fig. 1.16 shows the unbiased PN junctionFig. 1.16 Unbiased PY junetion
1.10 THE PN JUNCTION DIODE
| Detinion we i
"The PN junction foms a popular semiconductor device called PN junction diode. The PN junction
“fas two terminals called electrodes, one from P region and cher from N region. Duc to the two
eles itis salle diode a+ eectrode).
‘Symbol of a Diode
‘The symbol of PN junction diode is shown in Fig. 1.17. The Pate
fenton acts a8 anode while the N- region ats a3 cahode. The “s-———[>
{arrowhead inthe symbol indicates the direction ofthe conventional
current, which can flow when an external voltage is connected in py A
a specific manner across the diode. * ph cheba
4.41 BIASING OF PN JUNCTION DIODE
As seen, there is no current
EMForward Biasing of PN Junction Diodg-~
mn diode. To limit the eurrent,
N junction diode. Fig. 1.18 (b)
(@ Forward biasing
| Fig, 1.18,
Operation of forward Biased Diode
‘When the PIV junction is biased, as long as the applied voltage is I
positive terminal pushes the holes from P to N region. Thu
‘ross the junction against barrier potential. Thus
‘This reduces the width of depletion region.
‘As forward voltage is increased, a a particular value the deplet
such that large number of majority charge carriers can cross
| current is due to the majority charge carriers. This action is shown
‘These majority carriers can travel around the closed circuit and «relatively large current flows. The
direction of flow of electrons is from negative to postive of the battery. While the direction of the
‘conventional current is from positive to negative of the batery as shown in Fig. 1.19Fig. 1.19 Forward biased PN jun
Effect on the Depletion Region
| ue to the forward bias voltage, more electrons flow into the depletion region, which reduces the
number of postive ions. Similarly flow of holes reduces the number of neg
tive ions. Ths reduces the
‘width of the depletion region as shown in Fig. 1.20
Fig. 1.20
1.11.2 Reverse Biasing of PN Junction Di
Definition
de upTu 2006-07, 2007-08)
fan external d.c voltage is connected in such a way that the P region terminal of PN junction is
connected tothe negative ofthe battery and the N-tegion terminal of a PN junction is connected to
the positive terminal of the battery. The biasing condition is called reverse
Junction
iasing of a PN
Circuit diagram
Figure 1.21 (a) shows the connection ofa reverse biasing of PY junction while Fig. 1.21 (b) shows the
symbolic representation ofa reverse biased diode.Operation of Reverse Biased Diode
When the PN junction is reverse biased the negative terminal attracts the hole inthe P- region, away
battery atracts the fee electrons in the N- region away from
from the junction, The postive terminal
the junction. No charge cartier is able to cross the junction. As electrons and holes both move away
ffom the junction, the depletion region widens. This creates more positive ons in the N-region and more
negative ions in the P-region, This is because the applied voltage increases the barrier potential. This is
shown in the Fig. 122
/1e6
lege; =
Lenn $a —
vias
Fig. 1.22 Depletion region widens in 1
‘As depletion region widens barrier potential across the junction aso increases. However, this process
‘cannot continue fora long time. In the steady state, majority curent ceases as holes and electrons stop
moving away from the junction.
‘The polarities of barrier potential are same as that ofthe applied voltage. Due to increased barrier
potential the positive side drags the electrons from P-region towards the positive of batery. Similarly
‘negative side of barier potential drags the holes from N-region towards the negative of battery. The
‘electrons on P-side and holes on N- side are minority charge caries, which constitute the
fevers biased condition. Thus reverse conduction takes place.The reverse curen flows due to minority charge carriers which are small number. Hence reverse
current is always very small. Thus the reverse curent depends on the temperature ic, thermal peneration
and not onthe reverse vollage applied.
4.42, DIODE CURRENT EQUATIO}
The theoretical relationship between the voage andthe current in thé PN junction is given by
1,(é -1)
ay
whee = diode cance
1, = cide revere stmton cuenta oom temperate
f V = Extemal voltage applied othe diode a
‘constant (Is | for germanium and 2 fr sion)
Hl fn te
a q 11,600
where = Botmann’s constant
= 138 * 10-3 WK
q = Electron charge = 1.6 « 10°! Columb.
[At room temperature (= 300K)
=26mv
| [Hence the diode current with reverse bias can be obtained by reversing the sign ofthe applied voltage V.
T= 1,(e7" a)
Now. i VV,
‘then the term ois cel
Therefne TI,
‘This equation is valid as long as the external voltage is below the breakdown value
1.13. VOLTAGE- AMPERE (V-/) CHAR AC Tenis CS) OF A DIODE
Definition page 2
an al tetova l s togh :
‘function diode Whien it is forward biased or reverse biased.
In order to know how a device responds when it is connected in an electrical circuit. FI
‘characteristics OFPN junction diodes analyzed. The V7 characteristics in the forward biased and
ratio fiona of vole ali dod svn te soe cura
Sa oils
ks |EE :
uncon Odes
114 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IDEAL Dione
Seis PY junction dade has good conduction (no loss) infra bss and no conduction (act ay
open sw
gneve bits. Figure 1.23) sows the cit dam ofan el die on é
Feverse biased and forwand
biased: When a eves bias voltage is applied curent housh te dio
“0. The voltage seross ideal diode in reverse bias is MU
ne vafmls
Fig, 123 0) 17 cunts of nil ide,
A Vi caracteRisnics OF A PRACTICAL DIODE:
1.45.1 Forward characteristics of a Practical PN junction diode
Figure 1.24 shows the forward biased diode. The apliod came mtng tyke
Yolage is V while the voltage across the diode is V,- The San
‘Guent flowing inthe circuit isthe forward current /, The ® >i—
[UPTU 2007-08)
ic curve can be divided into two regions. Sores eames
Fig. 124 Circuit diagram for forward biasa
—
a
Fe 125 Fo hacia
1. Region 00 P
As ong a Fi es han et in Vlg (7 et fovng is rsa acl hi
Curent atm ob aso
Reson Po and onwards
AsV incase oar he ih of depletion region goson sing. When Vexceds
1jieucuinvlage, te deo repontsomes ey hinand caren mane eySonoaly
2 shown in Fig 125. Th poi fer wich fran cre wee expecta
Caled tae plat of be care
1.152 Reverse characteristics of Practical PN junction dlodg ~~
Figure 1.26 shows the reverse bissed dade, The revere voltage across dei wile the curent
Aowing through the circuit due to minority charge carrier is reverse cant
“The graph of fy agaist’ is called reverse carctrsic
ofa diode. The polarity of reers voltage applied i opposite
to that of forward volge. Hence in practic reverse vollage
fis taken a negative, Similarly the reverse saturation curent
is due to-minority carers and is opposite to the forwacd
current.
As revere voltage is ineeasd, reverse current increases
inialy bt ater cern voltage, te curentrenains consent
equal to reverse saturation currept J, though reverse voltage Fig. 1.26 Reverse biased diode
Isinceasd. The point A where breakdown occurs and reverse
curment increases rapidly is aed kne of he reverse characteristic as shown in Fig. 1.27
i eee
115
TheTan
Fig. 127 Revene charcternics of a dode
1.18.3 Complete V1 characteristics of a Diode
‘The complete V1 characteristics of a diode is the combination of its forward as well as reverse
‘haracterstcs. Ths is shown in the Fig. 128
rece on
Fig 1.28 Complete VI characteristics of a diodehe
uncon Dses| a
1.15.5. Effect of temperature on the Vicharactersties {UPTU 2001-02)
‘We know the expression for diode current is given by
9 e(.2)
‘When the voltage 1 is positive and several times of V,(¥”>> Vp) then the above equation may be
11, (¢™) a3
‘When the voltage 7 negative (.. diode is reverse biased) and || is several times of Vy| V|>> Vp).
then the equation (12) may be writen as
i=], 4)
The reverse current is therefore constant, independent ofthe applied reverse bias. Therefore, [, is
called as reverse saturation current. The diode current, depends on temperature. Hence the characteristics
is dependent on temperature. The effect of change in temperature cn the VI characteristics are shown in
Fig. 130
1
ems tye2e
fs Mors
Fer same Vi, forward
‘rents more at
higher temperate
ve
Tezre
ke
Fig. 1.30 Effect of temperature on V1 characteristics of a diodesump Jo pound voy yor si est
snoSUSUT MINUTE ep SLL,
wouana aapnodsa yeog °s
aeuoae og un s9yty yon sanjen
‘usin prey Snsdsi yd jo Snide ions oy st Sue aan aAaAe aqCHAPTER
| Diode Applications
2.4. INTRODUCTION
] Diode applications are mainly based on ts property
of unidiectona conduction, In ideal case forward
biased condition, tacts ax short eieuit while in revere biased coniton it acts a an open eieuit. The
main application area of diodes ean be listed as below:
2.2. RECTIFIERS
Definition
‘The process of a. t0 de. con
rectification is called asa rectifier.
aversion is known as rectfieaion. A cicuit which is used for
‘A rectifier is a circuit which is used to convert ac. voltage into pulsating dc voltage. It ean be
| cassifed as follows
\
2.3. HALF-WAVE RECTIFIER
Definition
In half-wave rectification, the rectifier conducts current only during positive half-eycles of input
puke solidi| eireute diagram :
The basic eircuit diagram of half- wave rectfe
In this circu
it voltage to the
stor R,
+ is shown in Fig. 2 vist own
former couples &.c input
transformer atthe input ofthe cicut. The trans i
{A diode D ts connected between sec0nk
former and
wary of transform
Fig. 2.41 Halvave rectifier circuit
Operation of Half- wave rectifier circuit
tive half eyele the other is negative half
In ac. supply voltage, there are two half cycles, one is posi
c 2 and waveforms generated by
it, can be understood wel fom Fi
: se] Te
1
‘eyele. The operation ofthe
this circuit ate shown in Fig
(a) During Positive halfeycle (0) During negative halcycle
Fig. 22
During positive half-cycle
Dring the positive half eyele (0S ax m), the terminal 4 of secondary is positive w.rt terminal B, The
diode D gets forward biased and hence possesses & low resistance gat (low resistance R,) to the ~
‘current. The load current i, flows through the load resistor R, to produce output voltage V,,
During Negative half-cycle
During negative half eycle (n < ew $ 2x), the terminal B of secondary is positive wet terminal A and
diode D becomes reverse biased and hence acts as an open switch. Therefore, no current flows inthe
circuit (J, = 0) and the output voltage across load resistor is also zero (V,,= 0 V).
Its clear from above discussion that diode D conducts only for one half cycle or in other words we
‘get only one half cycle of the input acrose the load. The output voluge obtained from this circuit is not
‘of constant magnitude but pulsating in nature.fo
Diode Applications ry
2.3.1 Analysis of Half-Wave Rectifier Parameters ~~
‘We assume that the input is sinusoidal, then the mathematical representation of sinusoidal signal is
¥,= Vy sin or QI)
If we neglect the drop across the diode D, from Fig. 2.3 we have output voltage in the form
vpn =%_ sino ;0Sarsn + 42.2)
v.20 iRSorS2n
‘Similarly, the current iis represented as
i=1,sinor — ;0Sarse
ino insets 2n 2)S
- 2
he aa \
where “eee h 1
Te lowing preter freer re ane
1. Average (4) lad cen
2 RMS. (as) kad cen
3. Form far
4 avenge) od votage
5 RMS (ac) lad volape
Ripe er
1. va
Va fens
9. Teanfomerwilton ator (TUF)
Ao, Pearse voliage
regulation
‘Average (d.> (Re+ RB) then
o (2.33)
RMS Load voltage [UPTU 2007-08]
“The RMS value of load voltage is given by
Vers Ioms * Re,Electronics Engineering
(2.34)
rae canioa i 20
y= (FFP - 1)?
Substituting the value of form factor forthe full wave rectifier, we get
y= (lary - 1"? 4
= 0.48 a
ee.
ame
oe eer ere
the quality ofthe dc voltage obtained from full wave rectifier is beter than that of haf wave rectifier,
because the ripples present in the rectified output of full wave rectifiers are just 48% which are much
ee ry cies
Rectification Efficiency
‘Rectification efficiency is defined as
2,
ton= BE x 100 (2.35)
where Pose Nae Ry,
Ang
Pet ER 2.36)
aod Pigg Fon’ * (Rp + Ba * Ry)
a
we aye meny 03ode Appcations
“Therefore, substituting equations (2.36) and (2.37) into equation (235) we have
(2.38)
If we assume (Ry + R,) << R, then equation (2.38) reduces to
es
8 Jenene Uttization Factor (TUF)
F retiod to calculate the TUF for fll wave ecifier with centre tapped ransformer is slightly
different to that for half wave rectifier. For this circuit the TUF for primary and secondary windings is
‘eleulated separately, and the average ofthese two isthe TUF forthe circuit. This is because the half of
secondary supplies the power to the load only forthe half cycle duration, while the current flows in the
the primary winding for the full cycle of input voltage, Now
Powe
‘a power mating of transformer
For secondary winding: TUF =
text,
Toms * Fs
a Pg 12) XO y I)
(lg! SEV Wm 2)
a
Secondary TUF = 81.1% (2.39)
‘TUF for primary winding ie,
For primary winding TUP=2.x TUF of HWR
0.287 (from HWR)
Primary TUF=0:574
‘Thus, the TUF for a fall wave rectifier with centre tapped transformer is given as
‘Tur = Primary TUF + Secondary TUFDiode Applications
es of FWR with Centre Tapped Transformer
253
is half that of maximum induced voltage at second
1, The output maximum volta
2. DIV is tice that of HWR, therefore higher rating diodes are required
3, Increased cost due to centre tapped transformer
isadvantag ;
ary winding
2.6 FULL WAVE BRIDGE RECTIFIE! [UPTU 2000-01, 2003-04]
Circuit diagram
The main disadvantage thatthe centre- tapped tfansformer fullwave rectifier have is the high PIV and
ensure of the centre tapped transformer. These can be overcome by using @ bridge of diodes as shown
in Fig. 2.10. It is the basi circuit of full wave bridge rectifier. The transformer in this circuit is a simple
step down transformer. The four diodes D,, D,, D, and D, are connected in the form of a bridge. Two
diodes either D, and Dy or D, and D, conduct ata time, this gives the full wave rectification
Fig, 2.10 Bridge rectifier cireuit
Operation of the circuit
During Positive half cycle
During postive half eyele (ie, 0