Question

When a junction diode is reverse biased, the current called drift current is due to

• A. majority charge carriers of both n- and p-side.
• B. minority charge carriers of both n- and p-side.
• C. holes of both n- and p-side.
• D. conduction band electrons of n-side only.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

minority charge carriers of both n- and p-side.

In reverse bias condition, the positive terminal is connected to the n-type and the negative terminal is connected to the p-type. Hence, majority charge carriers are swept into terminals and minority charge carriers are repelled by the terminals. Thus, a very small drift current flows through the diode due to minority charge carriers of both n-side and p-side.