Ami Shah

9/15/15

Lab 3 Pre lab

1. (10 points) In a zero biased PN junction, what force counteracts the diffusion of electrons across
the junction?

 In a zero biased PN junction, the force that counteracts the diffusion of electrons across
the junction is the electric field.

2. (5 points) When an external voltage is applied to a diode with the same polarity as the built in
voltage, does the depletion region width increase or decrease?

 When an external positive voltage is applied to a diode with the same polarity as the built
in voltage the depletion region would be reduced while if there was external negative
voltage there would be an increase in width.

3. (5 points) Is the relationship between the voltage across a diode and current through a diode linear
or exponential?

 The relationship between the voltage across a diode and current through a diode is
exponential.

4. (10 points) What is the function of an acceptor ion?

 The function of the acceptor ion is to turn negative as they accept an electron. They are
negatively charged ions that the positively charged holes neutralize during recombination
in a P-N junction diode.

5. (5 points) How can the number of implanted impurities in a semiconductor be controlled?

 The number of implanted impurities in a semiconductor can be controlled by leaving it at

room temperature. If not, the electron flow will increase and a process called doping adds
impurities to the crystalline structure.

6. (5 points) What does an acceptor impurity accept?

 An acceptor impurity is a semiconducting crystal so the atom can capture an electron

which creates a hole in a filled electron shell and then changes the electric conductivity of
the crystal.

7. (5 points) What are the two mechanisms that create an electric current through the PN junction
diode?

 The two mechanisms that create an electric current through the PN junction diode are
diffusion mechanism and drift mechanism.
8. (10 points) In the drift mechanism, what causes the movement of electrons?

 In drift mechanism, the movement of the electrons is caused by electric field.

9. (10 points) What is the main difference between a regular diode and a Zener diode?

 The major difference between a regular diode and a Zener diode is that a regular diode
can only conduct current in one direction while a Zener diode allows conduction in both
directions. Also, a normal diode will be permanently damaged for a large reverse current
and for rectification, while a Zener diode can be used with a large reverse current and it is
used for voltage regulation.

10. (5 points) What is the Zener voltage?

 The Zener voltage is the breakdown voltage of a Zener diode when it is connected in
reverse- biased in a circuit. It is important because when the voltage that falls across the
Zener diode exceeds the breakdown voltage, the voltage remains constant even if the
current continues to increase.

11. (5 points) Does the stripe on a diode indicate a cathode or an anode?

 The stripe on a diode indicates a cathode.

12. (5 points) How much voltage do you usually need to turn a silicon diode on?

 In order to turn on a silicon diode you usually need .7V.

13. (10 points) If the power supply in Figure 5(a) is 10 V, what is the voltage across the resistor? Assume
a reasonable forward voltage drop.

 The voltage across the resistor is 9.3 V

14. (10 points) When you design a circuit with a diode, which features do you need to check in its
datasheet?

 When you design a circuit with a diode, the features that have to be checked in the
datasheet are maximum rate voltage, forward voltage, current rating, and switching speed.