Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
When a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor come into contact with each other they form what is called a p-n junction N type
Conduction band

Junction

P type

Valence band

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
Similarly, holes from the ptype semiconductor are able to move across the junction allowing for an electron to fall into it

Free electrons in the conduction band in the n-type semiconductor are initially able to move across the junction and drop into a free hole in the p-type semiconductor

N type
Conduction band

Junction

P type

Valence band

This means that in terms of charges, the hole and electron cancel each other out and disappear

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
As a result electrons and holes near the junction tend to cancel each other out, producing a region depleted of moving charges this creates what is known as a the depletion zone
N type
Conduction band

Junction

P type

Valence band

Depletion zone

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
The movement of electrons into the positive charge carriers (or holes) in the p-type material leaves the n-type semiconductor positively charged and the p-type material negatively charged

+
Conduction band

N type

Junction

P type

Valence band

Depletion zone

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
As holes try to diffuse into the depletion zone, they are repelled by the build up of positive charge in the n-type conductor Similarly, electrons trying to enter the depletion zone are repelled by the build up of negative charge in the p-type conductor

+
Conduction band

N type

Junction

P type

Valence band

Depletion zone

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
This buildup of positive charge in the n-type semiconductor and negative charge in the ptype semiconductor results in the formation of an electric field across the depletion zone
This electric field comes to completely prevent the movement of electrons and holes across the depletion zone

+
Conduction band

N type

Junction

P type

Valence band

Depletion zone

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
When the positive terminal of a battery is connected to the p-type semiconductor side and the negative terminal to the n-type semiconductor side, a repulsive force occurs at the terminals.
+ -

N type

Junction

P type

Conduction band

Valence band

Depletion zone

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
This in conjunction with the attractive force from the opposite terminal, causes electrons in the n-type semiconductor to move towards the opposite positive terminal and causes the positive charge carriers or holes to move towards the n-type semi conductor.
This constitutes a current in same direction
+ -

N type

Junction

P type

Conduction band

Valence band

Depletion zone

Free electrons

Free holes

p-n Junction
If connected oppositely, electrons are holes are attracted to their own terminals and thus no current is produced. Therefore, a p-n junction only allows current carriers to travel in one direction.

This is known as a diode

+

N type

Junction

P type

Conduction band

Valence band

Depletion zone

p-n Junction
This concept can also be understood by looking at the energy bands The electric field across the depletion zone also causes the band energies to bend
This is the energy bands when no potential difference is applied
N-type
Conduction band

When a potential difference in the wrong direction is applied, the energy difference increases and no electrons or holes are able to cross
N-type P-type

When a potential difference in the right direction is applied, the energy difference decreases so that electrons and holes are able to cross
N-type P-type

P-type

Conduction band

Conduction band

Valence band

Valence band

Valence band

Depletion zone

Depletion zone

Depletion zone

p-n Junction Summary

When a p-type and an n-type semiconductor come into contact with each other they form a p-n junction Initially electrons and holes are able to travel across the junction and cancel each other out This results in the formation of a depletion zone It also results in the n-type material becoming positively charged and the p-type material becoming negatively charged

p-n Junction Summary

This results in the formation of an electric field across the junction which prevents further movement of holes and electrons across the junction This electric field also causes the energy levels to bend When a potential voltage is set up across the junction in the right direction, an electric current is created A p-n junction only allows the flow of electrons in one direction