Question

A reverse biased p-n junction has

• A. relatively lower barrier potential
• B. almost zero electric field in depletion layer
• C. almost zero current
• D. very narrow depletion layer

Answer 1

The correct option is C almost zero current

When a p-n junction is reverse biased, the negative terminal of the battery attracts the free holes in the p-type towards itself whereas the positive terminal attracts the free electrons in n-type towards itself. Hence, the electrons and the holes move away from the junction which results in increasing of the depletion width as well as the potential barrier, which is why a reverse biased PN junction has almost zero current.