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Experiment 8

This document describes how to draw the I-V characteristic curve for a p-n junction diode in forward and reverse bias. The apparatus needed includes a p-n junction diode, batteries, voltmeters, ammeters, resistors, and connecting wires. In forward bias, the current increases slowly at first as voltage increases, then rapidly increases at the cut-in voltage. In reverse bias, a small reverse current initially remains constant with increasing voltage until breakdown occurs at the zener voltage. Tables of readings and graphs of voltage vs. current will be made to show the forward and reverse bias characteristics.

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Gurdeep Singh Saggu
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23K views5 pages

Experiment 8

This document describes how to draw the I-V characteristic curve for a p-n junction diode in forward and reverse bias. The apparatus needed includes a p-n junction diode, batteries, voltmeters, ammeters, resistors, and connecting wires. In forward bias, the current increases slowly at first as voltage increases, then rapidly increases at the cut-in voltage. In reverse bias, a small reverse current initially remains constant with increasing voltage until breakdown occurs at the zener voltage. Tables of readings and graphs of voltage vs. current will be made to show the forward and reverse bias characteristics.

Uploaded by

Gurdeep Singh Saggu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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To draw the I-V characteristic curve for a p-n junction diode in forward and reverse bias.

Aim

To draw the I-V characteristic curve of a p-n junction in forward bias and reverse bias.

Apparatus

A p-n junction (semi-conductor) diode, a 3 volt battery, a 50 volt battery, a high resistance rheostat, one
0-3 volt voltmeter, one 0-50 volt voltmeter, one 0-100 mA ammeter, one 0-100 μA ammeter, one way key,
connecting wires and pieces of sand paper.

Theory

Forward bias characteristics.

When the p -section of the diode is connected to positive terminal of a battery and n-section is connected
to negative terminal of the battery then junction is said to be forward biased. With increase in bias
voltage, the forward current increases slowly in the beginning and then rapidly. At about 0.7 V for Si diode
(0.2 V for Ge), the current increases suddenly. The value of forward bias voltage, at which the forward
current increases rapidly, is called cut in voltage or threshold voltage.

Reverse bias characteristics.

When the p -section of the diode is connected to negative terminal of high voltage battery and n-section
of the diode is connected to positive terminal of the same battery, then junction is said to be reverse
biased.

When reverse bias voltage increases, initially there is a very small reverse current flow, which remains
almost constant with bias. But when reverse bias voltage increases to sufficiently high value, the reverse
current suddenly increases to a large value. This voltage at which breakdown of junction diode occurs
(suddenly large current flow) is called zener breakdown voltage or inverse voltage. The breakdown
voltage may vary from one volt to several hundred volts, depending upon dopant density and the
depletion layer.
Diagram

Observations

For forward-bias
Range of voltmeter = …..V
Least count of voltmeter = …..V
Zero error of voltmeter = …..V
Range of milli-ammeter = …..mA
Least count of milli-ammeter = …..mA
Zero error of milli-ammeter = …..mA
1. Table for forward-bias voltage and forward current

Note. The readings are as a sample.


For reverse-bias
Range of voltmeter = …..V
Least count of voltmeter = …..V
Zero error of voltmeter = …..V
Range of micro-ammeter = …..μA
Least count of micro-ammeter = …..μA
Zero error of micro-ammeter = …..
2. Table for reverse-bias voltage and reverse current

Note. The readings are given as a sample.

Calculations

For forward-bias
Plot a graph between forward-bias voltage VF (column 2) and forward current IF (column 3) taking VF along
X-axis and IF along Y-axis.
This graph is called forward-bias characteristic curve a junction diode.

For reverse-bias

Plot a graph between reverse-bias voltage VR (column 2) and reverse current IR (column 3) taking
VR along X-axis and IR along Y-axis.
This graph is called reverse-bias characteristic curve of a junction diode.
Result
Junction resistance for forward-bias = 40 ohms
Junction resistance for reverse-bias = 2 x 106 ohms.

Precautions

1. All connections should be neat, clean and tight.


2. Key should be used in circuit and opened when the circuit is not being used.
3. Forward-bias voltage beyond breakdown should not be applied.
4. Reverse-bias voltage beyond breakdown should not be applied.

Sources of error

1. The junction diode supplied may be faulty.

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