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Band-bending diagram for p–n diode in forward bias. Diffusion drives carriers across the junction. Quasi-Fermi levels and carrier densities in forward biased p–n-diode. The figure assumes recombination is confined to the regions where majority carrier concentration is near the bulk values, which is not accurate when recombination-generation ...
The electrons and holes travel in opposite directions, but they also have opposite charges, so the overall current is in the same direction on both sides of the diode, as required. The Shockley diode equation models the forward-bias operational characteristics of a p–n junction outside the avalanche (reverse-biased conducting) region.
Under reverse bias, the diode equation's exponential term is near 0, so the current is near the somewhat constant reverse current value (roughly a picoampere for silicon diodes or a microampere for germanium diodes, [1] although this is obviously a function of size).
Current–voltage characteristic of a p–n junction diode showing three regions: breakdown, reverse biased, forward biased. The exponential's "knee" is at V d. The leveling off region which occurs at larger forward currents is not shown. A diode's current–voltage characteristic can be approximated by four operating regions. From lower to ...
A PN junction in forward bias mode, the depletion width decreases. Both p and n junctions are doped at a 1e15/cm3 doping level, leading to built-in potential of ~0.59V. Observe the different Quasi Fermi levels for conduction band and valence band in n and p regions (red curves). A depletion region forms instantaneously across a p–n junction.
Band diagram for p–n junction at equilibrium. The depletion region is shaded. φ B denotes band shift for holes and charges level. See P–n diode. The inner workings of a light emitting diode, showing circuit (top) and band diagram when a bias voltage is applied (bottom).
If no diode is forward-biased then no diode will provide drive current for the output's load (such as a subsequent logic stage). So the output additionally requires a pull-up or pull-down resistor connected to a voltage source, so that the output can transition quickly [ a ] and provide a strong driving current when no diodes are forward-biased.
An LED begins to emit light when more than 2 or 3 volts is applied in the forward direction. The reverse bias region uses a different vertical scale from the forward bias region to show that the leakage current is nearly constant with voltage until breakdown occurs. In forward bias, the current starts small but increases exponentially with voltage.