How forward bias is used in diode circuits

In forward bias, a positive voltage relative to the n-type side of the junction is applied to the p-type side. When a voltage is applied in this way, the holes in the P-type region and the electrons in the N-type region are forced to face the junction, which reduces the width of the depletion layer.

Positive charges applied to material P repel holes, and negative charges applied to material N repel electrons. The distance between the electrons and the hole decreases as they are pushed towards the knot, which lowers the built-in barrier. We have Glenair-450HS032-15.


As the forward bias voltage increases, the depletion layer eventually becomes thin enough to be unable to offset the movement of the internal electric field through the PN junction charge carriers, thereby reducing the resistance. Electrons of PN entering the P-type material (or passing through holes in the N-type material) will diffuse in the near-neutral region. Thus, the tiny amount of diffusion in the near-neutral region determines the current flow that may pass through the diode.

Although the electrons penetrate only a short distance into the p material before recombination, the current is not interrupted because the holes (most of the carriers) begin to flow in the opposite direction, displacing the compound holes of several carrier electrons. The total current (the sum of the electron and hole site currents) is constant in space because any shift will cause charge to build up over time (this is Kirchhoff's current law). The flow of holes from the P-type region to the N-type region is exactly like the flow of electrons (electrons and holes switch roles, with all current and voltage symbols reversed).

Thus, the macroscopic diagram of the current flowing through the diode involves electrons flowing through the flow junction in the N-type region, holes flowing through the flow junction in the P-type region in opposite directions, and two carriers near the junction (given by the diffusion length). Electrons and holes move in opposite directions, but they also have opposite charges. Therefore, the total current on both sides of the diode goes in the same direction as needed.

Leave a Comment