Question

Draw the circuit arrangement for studying V-I characteristics of a p-n junction diode in (i) forward biasing and (ii) reverse biasing. Draw the typical V-I characteristics of a silicon diode.

Answer 1

Forward biasing:

Fig. (a)

Reverse biasing:

Fig. (b)

Fig. (c)

Figures (a) and (b) depict the circuit for examining a diode's V-I properties. The value of current is noted for various voltage values. The result is a graph between C and I, as shown in Fig. (c).

It is evident from a junction diode's V-I characteristics that current can only flow through it when it is forward biassed. As a result, when alternating voltage is placed across a forward biassed diode, current only flows during a portion of the cycle. Alternating voltages are rectified using this characteristic.