Why is the electric field zero outside of depletion region?

In summary: The electric field is never exactly zero anywhere and charge distribution is never exactly uniform in space. The depletion layer also does not have an exact boundary. All of these factors contribute to the electric field being approximately zero outside of the depletion region in a non-ideal diode. The Coulomb rule is not applicable in this situation. The remaining atoms in the depletion layer do have a charge, but it is not enough to cancel out the electric field. The other half of the depletion layer also contributes to canceling out the field. However, distance does not matter in this one-dimensional problem and the infinite sheet is a good approximation. Even in a non-ideal diode,
  • #1
pyctz
18
0
why do electric field is zero out side of depletion region?
 
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  • #2
In an area with charge carriers, how could there be a permanent electric field without current flow?
 
  • #3
mfb said:
In an area with charge carriers, how could there be a permanent electric field without current flow?
can you explain it with using of coulomb rule?
 
  • #4
This is simple U=RI with negligible I and finite R. The Coulomb rule is not useful here.
 
  • #5
mfb said:
This is simple U=RI with negligible I and finite R. The Coulomb rule is not useful here.
in depletion layer there are uncovered charges that generate electric field , how cancel their field?
 
  • #6
The remaining atoms have a charge as well. There is nothing "uncovered". A doped semiconductor has free charges of one type with zero overall charge density. If you remove those free charges the volume gets charged.
 
  • #7
mfb said:
The remaining atoms have a charge as well. There is nothing "uncovered". A doped semiconductor has free charges of one type with zero overall charge density. If you remove those free charges the volume gets charged.
the remaining atom don't generate any fied, then who cancel the field of depletion layer?
 
  • #8
pyctz said:
the remaining atom don't generate any fied
Sure they do.
Replace a silicon atom with boron. It has one electron and one proton less, so the overall charge is zero - but now you have a hole because another electron can bind there easily. If you fill the hole you have a negative charge.
Replace a silicon atom with phosphorus. It fits in the crystal structure but has a 5th valence electron, while the overall charge is still zero - but now you have an electron that will easily leave its spot. If you remove the free electron you have a positive charge.
 
  • #9
mfb said:
Sure they do.
Replace a silicon atom with boron. It has one electron and one proton less, so the overall charge is zero .
if for each atom the overall charge is zero, then they don't generate any fied.
 
  • #10
And that's exactly what you have outside the depletion region.
 
  • #11
mfb said:
And that's exactly what you have outside the depletion region.
but who cancel the field of depletion layer?
 
  • #12
The other half of the depletion layer.
 
  • #13
mfb said:
The other half of the depletion layer.
it is not correct,
the other half is more far
then it can not cancel the field of opposite half
 
  • #14
Distance does not matter in a one-dimensional problem. Sheets of uniform charge density lead to uniform fields in all space (outside those sheets).
 
  • #15
mfb said:
Distance does not matter in a one-dimensional problem. Sheets of uniform charge density lead to uniform fields in all space (outside those sheets).
sheets of uniform charge must have infinite dimension(infinite plane) to lead uniform fields
in pn junction there is not infinite sheet
then distance matter
 
  • #16
Compare the typical thickness of a depletion region with the typical dimension of a semiconductor device.
The infinite sheet is a good approximation unless you consider modern microprocessors, and then things are much more complicated anyway.
 
  • #17
mfb said:
Compare the typical thickness of a depletion region with the typical dimension of a semiconductor device.
The infinite sheet is a good approximation unless you consider modern microprocessors, and then things are much more complicated anyway.
i don't talk about approximation
i talk about exact situation
 
  • #18
Your statement in post 1 is an approximation.

Actually, every description you will ever see is an approximation. Just the quality is different.
 
  • #19
mfb said:
Your statement in post 1 is an approximation.

Actually, every description you will ever see is an approximation. Just the quality is different.
actually, in non ideal diode electric field is zero outside of depletion region.
this is exact not approximation.
 
  • #20
- The electric field is never exactly zero anywhere.
- Charge distribution is never exactly uniform in space
- the depletion layer does not have an exact boundary
- ...
All approximations.
 
  • #21
mfb said:
- The electric field is never exactly zero anywhere.
- Charge distribution is never exactly uniform in space
- the depletion layer does not have an exact boundary
- ...
All approximations.
inside a conductor The electric field is exactly zero
 
  • #22
Not exactly.
As I said, those statements are all approximations.

In the real world, physics is never exact.
 
  • #23
mfb said:
Not exactly.
As I said, those statements are all approximations.

In the real world, physics is never exact.
if The electric field is not zero the free charges move until it becomes zero
 
  • #24
mfb said:
Not exactly.
As I said, those statements are all approximations.

In the real world, physics is never exact.
if The electric field is not zero the free charges move until it becomes zero
 
  • #25
the answer of my thread is:
the free charges move until it becomes zero
 

FAQ: Why is the electric field zero outside of depletion region?

1. Why is the electric field zero outside of depletion region?

The electric field is zero outside of the depletion region due to the balance between the built-in potential and the potential created by the majority carriers in the region. This results in a net charge of zero and therefore, no electric field.

2. Does this mean there is no electric field at all outside of the depletion region?

No, there is still an electric field present due to the presence of minority carriers and surface charges on the edges of the depletion region. However, this field is small and can be considered negligible compared to the electric field within the depletion region.

3. How does the width of the depletion region affect the electric field outside of it?

The width of the depletion region directly affects the strength of the electric field outside of it. A wider depletion region results in a stronger electric field, while a narrower depletion region results in a weaker electric field outside of it.

4. Can the electric field outside of the depletion region ever be non-zero?

Yes, under certain conditions such as high voltage or temperature, the depletion region can expand and the electric field may extend beyond its boundaries. Therefore, the electric field outside of the depletion region is not always zero.

5. How does the concept of potential barrier relate to the electric field outside of the depletion region?

The electric field outside of the depletion region is a result of the potential barrier created by the difference in the Fermi levels between the p-type and n-type materials. The potential barrier prevents the majority carriers from crossing the junction and creates a net charge of zero outside of the depletion region.

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