devarshi-dt-logo

Question:

Which of the following must be zero in an unbiased PN junction diode?

Current due to majority charge carriers (both electrons and holes)

Current due to majority and minority charge carriers (only holes)

Current due to minority charge carriers (both electrons and holes)

Current due to majority and minority charge carriers

Solution:

In an unbiased p-n junction, there is no applied emf across the diode and hence no current flows due to minority or majority carriers. The net current is zero because the diffusion current of majority carriers (electrons from the n-side and holes from the p-side) is exactly balanced by the drift current of minority carriers (holes from the n-side and electrons from the p-side). Therefore, the total current is zero.