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

KVPYKVPY 2017Semiconductor Electronics: Materials Devices and Simple Circuits

Solution:

Depletion layer is formed due to diffusion of electrons from $n$-side to $p$-side. There they combine with holes of $p$-side.
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In a $p-n$ junction, there are no free charges in depletion region. It contains only bound charges. Width of depletion region is inversely proportional to dopant concentration. So, it may have different width in $p$ and $n$-sides. Due to diffusion of electrons, $p$-side is negatively charged and n-side is positively charged.