Lecture 1.

PHYSICS OF DIODES
Topics: p-n junction, forward and reverse bias V-I characteristics of p-n junction diodes Zener diode, photodiode, LED

Objectives: Understand construction of a p-n junction diode Describe types of bias Describe operation principle of different diode types

Materials Used in Electronic Devices

- semiconductors combined with metals and insulators What materials conduct electric current? Conductors very little voltage is sufficient Semiconductors moderately low voltages Insulators high voltage results in electrical breakdown What is needed to maintain current in a material? Current definition

P-N Junction Diode

- metallurgical bond of 2 types of materials (p- and n-) Ptype (high h+ concentration) Ntype (high e- concentration) electrons try holes try Does it mean we have current? to diffuse to diffuse e- and h+ that try to e- diffuses and leaves built-in field diffuse get pulled back behind a positive ion is generated

h+ diffuses and leaves a negative ion

depletion region

P-N Junction Diode Biasing

a) FORWARD BIAS
VD is used for extra carrier injection (spill-over) Extra carriers neutralize ions depletion region vanishes Diode conducts current Extra carriers widen depletion region No current is conducted

b) REVERSE BIAS

V-I Characteristics of a P-N Junction Diode (contd)

When an external source is attached to the diode, carrier concentrations are related exponentially to the applied voltage Diode current also follows the exponential equation

i D = I S (e v D / VT 1)
IS saturation current

emission coefficient

VT thermal voltage (0.025)

In the forward-bias region Turn-on voltage Vf:

Zener Diode
- very similar to a regular diode when forward-biased a) Forward-biased condition
- identical to an ordinary pn-junction diode

i Z = I S (e v Z / VT 1) b) Reverse-biased condition
- identical up to a certain voltage (-VZK) After that the field in the depletion region becomes so large that bound electrons are stripped away from atoms

Current flows in the opposite direction Zeners are primarily used in the reverse-biased configuration Voltage does not change

Photodiode
- used in the reverse-biased configuration - have exposed pn-junction no light = no current light = additional e- - h+ pairs created in the depletion region current generated LI light intensity; I - photoconductance R responsivity; POPT optical power In the forward-biased region:

Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

- provides the inverse function of the photodiode - used in the forward-biased configuration Electrons and holes are injected by the voltage source in opposite directions across the depletion region
When e- and h+ recombine, some energy is released in the form of photons

Most photons have approximately the same wavelength (color) Optical output power: Diode current follows the usual equation

Efficiency