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Q. The depletion layer of a $ p-n $ junction

Punjab PMETPunjab PMET 2011Semiconductor Electronics: Materials Devices and Simple Circuits

Solution:

In semiconductor physics, the depletion region also called depletion layer or the space charge region is an insulating region within a conducting, doped semiconductor material where the charge carriers have been swept away through recombination. Under reverse bias of a $ p-n $ junction, when $ p- $ type is connected to negative terminal and $ n- $ type to positive terminal, effectively increases. The potential barrier and width of depletion region grows larger with higher voltage, this stops the flow of charge carriers. Hence, it acts like an insulating zone under reverse bias.