Biasing, forward biasing, reverse biasing
Biasing
Biasing of 2 types:
forward & reverse biased
forward biased:
p-side more positive than n-side
Diode = “biased p-n junction”, i.e. p-n junction with voltage applied across it
The direction of the electric field is from p-side towards n-side
< p-type charge carriers (positive holes) in p-side are pushed towards and across the p-n boundary,
< n-type carriers (negative electrons) in n-side are pushed towards and across n-p boundary current flows across p-n boundary
reverse biased:
n-side more positive than p-side
Applied voltage makes n-side more positive than p-side
electric field direction is from n-side towards p-side
pushes charge carriers away from the p-n boundary
depletion region widens, and no current flows