Reverse Bias
Reverse bias causes current to be:
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About This Question
- Subject
- physics
- Chapter
- semiconductor electronics
- Topic
- reverse bias
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Small saturation current
In reverse bias, the positive terminal is connected to the n-side and negative to the p-side.
- This supports the built-in barrier, widening the depletion layer and preventing majority carriers from crossing.
- However, a very small current called the reverse saturation current (I0) flows due to the drift of minority carriers (which are pushed across the junction by the field).
- This current is nearly independent of the reverse voltage (until the breakdown voltage is reached).
This medium difficulty physics question is from the chapter semiconductor electronics, covering the topic of reverse bias. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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