- #1
Amal Thejus
- 14
- 1
Homework Statement
We are considering an UNBIASED junction.[/B]
I've read in a textbook that electric field created in the junction STOPS diffusion BUT in the same text its written the drift and diffusion currents cancel each other.
1. Does the diffusion and drift currents occur simulataneously and continues forever maintaing a dynamic equilibrium between the two? Or is it a static equilibrium where the electric field just stops the diffusion completely?
2. Also another doubt that i have is that what carriers constitute the drift current? Is it the majority carriers or the minority carriers or both??
3. If the drift current is ONLY due to minority carriers, how can it balance the magnitude of diffusion current since there are only a few minority carriers?
4. In the same textbook i also read there will a diffusion of minority carriers. What will be the direction of this diffusion, say of electrons(minority carriers) in the P side of the junction and how will it effect the equlibrium?
Homework Equations
Its a qualitative analysis.
The Attempt at a Solution
I tried drawing diagrams of the lattice structure to visualise the electrostatic repulsion forces to get an idea of the movement of all the carriers but its utterly confusing and i couldn't reach any conclusions. I don't know what else to do about these problems.