Question

What happens to the potential barrier of the p- n junction diode when it is?

Answer 1

Hint: Diode is the type of the semiconductor material that is used as the switch to allow the current in one direction and restricting the current flowing in the opposite direction. Out of which the p- n junction diode (positive- negative) is most commonly used.

Complete step by step solution:
The p- n junction diode has two terminals which are formed as the p type semiconductor and the n type semiconductor joins. The p type semiconductor has the positive holes as the majority charge carriers and the n- type semiconductor has the majority electric electron as the charge carriers. This diode functions only when the diode is forward biased. But if the diode is reverse biased, the current does not flow through the circuit.

When the current passes, the negative terminal releases the electrons and these electrons move towards the positive terminal and thus it reduces the depletion region by reducing potential barrier. In a p- n junction diode, the potential barrier is $0.7\,V$ if silicon is used. After breaking the barrier, the conventional current flows through the circuit. Hence the electrons flow through the negative terminal and holes to the positive terminal.

Note: The material that makes up the p- n semiconductor is silicon, germanium and the gallium arsenide. Out of which the silicon semiconductor is most commonly used, this is because the silicon can withstand the higher temperature during the flow of the charged particles than the germanium semiconductor.