Aim : To draw I-V characteristic curve of a p-n junction in forward and reverse bias.

Apparatus: One p-n junction, a battery of 6 V, a rheostat, a d.c miliammeter (0 -30mA), a d.c. Voltmeter (0-3V), a micro
ammeter (0-500A), a d.c. voltmeter (0-12V), connecting wire
Theory:
(a) Forward bias: A p-n junction is forward bias, if its p -side is connected to higher potential (+ve) and n –side is
connected to lower potential (-ve). At this condition, external electric field is opposite to internal electric field at
the junction. So width of depletion layer and potential barrier decreases. If external field is sufficient strong then
internal electric field disappears and flow of charge carrier takes place.
(b) Reverse bias: A p-n junction is reverse bias, if its p -side is connected to lower potential (+ve) and n –side is
connected to higher potential (-ve). At this condition, external electric field is in same direction to internal
electric field at the junction. So width of depletion layer and potential barrier increases. So width of depletion
layer and height of potential barrier increases. It stops the flow of current through p-n junction. But reverse bias
p-n junction helps minority charge carrier to cross the junction. Thus there is a small current of order
microampere through p-n junction. At high reverse bias voltage, kinetic energy of electron increases enough to
break covalent bonds to give more electrons. The process continues and there is avalanche of electron and high
reverse current.
Observations:
1. Range of miliammeter = 0- 30 mA
2. Least count of miliammeter = 0.1 mA
3. Range of Voltmeter = 0-3 V
4. Least count of voltmeter = 0.2 V
5. Range of micro ammeter= 0 – 30 A
6. Least count of micro ammeter = 1 A
7. Range of Voltmeter = 100 V
8. Least count of voltmeter = 2V
9. Observation table for variation of I and V

p-n junction forward bias p-n junction reverse bias

S Reading of Reading of
No Voltmeter Ammeter Voltmeter Ammeter
Vf (Volt) If (mA) Vr (Volt) Ir (A)
0 0 0 0
0.2 0 5 1
0.4 0.5 9 3
0.8 2.0 11 4
1.2 5.0 15 7
1.6 10.0 17 9
1.8 15.0 19 11
2.0 20.0 21 13
2.2 25.0 23 15
2.4 30.0 25 25

Plotting of graph:
Graph plotted with current as ordinate and potential applied across diode as abscissa shows the characteristic of the
diode.
Scale for forward bias characteristic is
X axis: 1 cm = 0.2 V
Y axis: 1 cm = 1 mA
Scale for reverse bias characteristic is
X axis: 1 cm = 1 V
Y axis: 1 cm = 100 A

Result:
(i) The characteristic of p- junction in forward biasing and reverse biasing are shown in the graph.
(ii) The knee voltage Vk and reverse breakdown voltage and reverse current are ___ V and ____ mA.

Precautions:
1. Never cross the limit specified by the manufacturer, otherwise diode will get damaged.
2. The pointers of meters should adjust to read zero when no current is passing through them.