Diode Biasing, Forward Bias

By
Dr. Arroj Ahmad Khan

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 Biasing of a Diode

Biasing a diode means applying voltage to it to cause the diode to

conduct current in one direction and block it in the other direction

is called biasing. *

or

Connecting a diode with a battery is known as biasing

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 Biasing has two types

I. Forward Bias

II. Reverse Bias

Forward Bias
That allows current through the PN junction

Requirements for Forward Bias

I. Negative side of battery is connected to the n region of the
diode and the positive side to the p region.

II. Bias voltage (applied voltage) must be greater than the barrier
potential. 3
 Working

 When n region with negative and p region with positive terminals

are attached to the external source of energy, forward biased
circuit is established.
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 The –ve side of the battery ensures the continuous flow of electrons
through the external connection and into the n region

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 Due to the repulsion of like charges, the –ve side of the
battery pushes the free electrons, which are the majority
carriers in n region, towards the pn junction.

 The flow of free electrons is electron current.

 The free electrons will gain the sufficient energy (from

external source or battery) to overcome the barrier
potential and to move into the p region.

 These electrons from the conduction band of p region

lost their most of energy in overcoming the barrier
potential and finally recombine with holes which lie into
the valence band of p region.
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 Unlike charges attract each other, the electrons in the valence band of
P region move towards the +ve terminal of the battery (i.e., towards
the left end).

 Holes in the p region (majority carriers) just provide medium or

pathway for the valence electrons to move through the p region.

 (According to the previous knowledge) Electrons and holes move

oppositely, the electrons move towards the positive terminal (left
side) of the battery so the holes move towards negative terminal or
towards the junction (right side).

 Holes flow is effective flow but not actual. *

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 The effective flow is hole current.

 There is a continuous availability of holes effectively moving

towards the pn junction to combine with the continuous stream of
electrons as they come across the junction into the p region.

Electrons Flow through Conductor

 Electrons flow from the p region to the positive terminal of the

battery through the external connection (conductor), they leave holes
behind in the p region, these electrons become conduction electrons
in the metal conductor
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 There is overlapping of conduction and valence bands in the
conductors and electrons require very less amount of energy to
become free, can move easily through the conductor.

The effect of forward bias on the depletion region

 At the equilibrium (when diode is not connected to the external

source), +ve ions (pentavalent atoms) are gathered at the n side and
negative ions (trivalent atoms) are at p side.

 The number of +ve ions on n side and –ve ions on p side will be
reduced and the depletion region must be narrow as shown in fig. *

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 The effect of the barrier
potential during forward
bias

 At equilibrium the electric

field will be established
between the pn junction and
prevents the further diffusion
of electrons.

 Potential barrier would be

there.
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 During forward biased, the free electrons are provided the enough
amount of energy from the bias voltage source to overcome the
barrier potential and cross the depletion region.

 The energy provided to the electron must be greater than the potential
barrier. In other words the electrons give up an amount of energy
equivalent to the barrier potential when they cross the depletion
region.

 This energy loss results in a voltage drop across the pn junction equal
to the barrier potential.

 An additional energy loss occurs normally neglected, due to the

internal resistance of the material. 11