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1. 2. 3. 4. Introduction Electrostatics of pn junction in thermal equilibrium The depletion approximation Contact potentials
1. Introduction
pn junction
p-region and n-region in intimate contact
Lecture 5
Lecture 5
Lecture 5
On a linear scale:
J n (x) = J
drift n
(x) + J
diff n
(x) = 0
We can divide semiconductor into three regions Two quasi-neutral n- and p-regions (QNRs) One space-charge region (SCR) Now, we want to know no(x), po(x), (x), E(x) and (x). We need to solve Poissons equation using a simple but powerful approximation
6.102 Spring 2007 Lecture 5 6
ni2 po (x) = N a , no (x) = Na po (x), no (x) << N a no (x), po (x) << N d ni2 po (x) = Nd
Lecture 5 7
no (x) = N d ,
(x) = 0;
= qN a ; = = 0; qNd ;
Lecture 5
Electric Field
Integrate Poissons equation
E(x2 ) E(x1 ) =
(x) dx s x
1
x2
E(x) = 0 E(x) E( x po ) =
s x po
qN a dx
qN a x qN a = x = x + x po s x s po
E(x) =
qN d
(x xno )
E(x) = 0
Lecture 5 9
Electrostatic Potential
(with =0 @ no=po=ni)
kT no = ln ni q kT po = ln ni q
kT N n = ln d in n-QNR: no=Nd q ni
Built-in potential:
Nd Na kT B = n p = ln q ni2
This expression is always correct in TE! We did not use depletion approximation.
6.102 Spring 2007 Lecture 5 10
x2
(x) = p (x) (x po ) =
=
x x po
qNa
(x + xpo )dx
2 qNa x + x po 2 s 2 qN (x) = p + a x + x po 2 s
(x) = n
qNd 2 x xno ) ( 2 s
Still do not know xno and xpo need two more equations
qN a x po = qN d x no
2 s B N a x no = q(N a + N d )N d
2 s B N d x po = q(N a + N d )N a
Lecture 5
12
Solution Summary
Space Charge Density
Electrostatic Field
Electrostatic Potential
Lecture 5
13
Other results:
Width of the space charge region:
x do = x po + x no
2 s B (N a + N d ) = qN a N d
2q B N a N d Eo = s (N a + N d )
Lecture 5
14
x po = x no
Asymmetric junction: Na > Nd
x po < x no
Strongly asymmetric junction
p+n junction: Na >> Nd
Eo
Lecture 5
15
4. Contact Potential
Potential distribution in thermal equilibrium so far:
Question 1: If I apply a voltmeter across the pn junction diode, do I measure B? yes no it depends
Question 2: If I short terminals of pn junction diode, does current flow on the outside circuit? yes no sometimes
Lecture 5
16
Metal-semiconductor contacts: junction of dissimilar materials built-in potentials at contacts mn and mp. Potential difference across structure must be zero Cannot measure B.
B = mn + mp
6.102 Spring 2007 Lecture 5 17
5. PN Junction-Reverse Bias
Assume: No Current Flows
j = B VD
Wp
ID 0 A + xp xn x Wn
;;;; ;;;;
pm + p
VD (< 0 V)
;;;; ;;;;
n mn + (a) (x) xp n xn + j p (b) Wn
j +
Wp + VD < 0 V pm +
mn +x
Lecture 5
19