- #1
kmm
- 188
- 15
I understand there is some "leakage" current in a reversed biased diode but I don't understand why there is significantly less current in a reversed biased diode. I've seen the band diagrams and if all the electrons were only on the n-side of the diode, I would understand why the electrons can't flow through the diode since there would be a big hill to climb. However, I see there being electrons coming from the battery or whatever source, being injected into the p-side and then being attracted to the positive potential placed on the n-side.
Here's how I imagine things. So the depletion region was at some width before the reverse bias was applied, then when the reverse bias is applied, I see the electrons on the n-side get pulled away increasing the number of positively charged ions on the n-side. During this, the electrons injected into the p-side I assume combine with some holes increasing the number of negatively charged ions on the p-side. That's how I see the depletion region forming. After that here's where I get stuck, an electron from the wire enters the p-side Adding up the forces on the electron, we have the negative and positive side of the battery plus the positive ions on the n-side all pushing and pulling the electron to the n-side and only the negative ions on the p-side pushing aopposite of that. So what prevents the electron from making it all the way across?
Here's how I imagine things. So the depletion region was at some width before the reverse bias was applied, then when the reverse bias is applied, I see the electrons on the n-side get pulled away increasing the number of positively charged ions on the n-side. During this, the electrons injected into the p-side I assume combine with some holes increasing the number of negatively charged ions on the p-side. That's how I see the depletion region forming. After that here's where I get stuck, an electron from the wire enters the p-side Adding up the forces on the electron, we have the negative and positive side of the battery plus the positive ions on the n-side all pushing and pulling the electron to the n-side and only the negative ions on the p-side pushing aopposite of that. So what prevents the electron from making it all the way across?