Built-in potential of a p-n junction
An abrupt silicon p-n diode consists of a p-type region containing
1016 cm-3 acceptors and an n-type region containing
also 1016 cm-3 acceptors in addition to
1017 cm-3 donors.
a) Calculate the thermal equilibrium density of electrons and holes in the p-type
region as well as both densities in the n-type region.
b) Calculate the built-in potential of the p-n diode.
c) Calculate the built-in potential of the p-n diode at 100°C.
Answer:
The hole density (electron density) in the p-type region equals
p = 1016 cm-3
(n = ni2/p=
1020/1016 =
104 cm-3)
The electron density (hole density) in the n-type region equals
n = 1017 - 1016 =
9 x 1016 cm-3
(p = ni2/p=
1020/9 x 1016 =
1.11 x 103 cm-3)
The built-in potential (at 300 K) equals
fi = kT/q
ln(1016 x 9 x
1017/ni2) = 0.77 V, using
kT/q = 25.84 mV and ni =
1010 cm-3.
The built-in potential (at 100°C) equals
fi = kT/q
ln(1016 x 9 x
1017/ni2) = 0.673 V, using
kT/q = 32.14 mV and ni =
8.55 x 1011 cm-3 (from
Example 20).
Examples
© Bart J. Van Zeghbroeck, 1997