Comprehension

Extrinsic semiconductors are made by doping pure or intrinsic semiconductors with suitable impurity. There are two types of dopants used in doping, Si or Ge, and using them p-type and n-type semiconductors can be obtained. A p-n junction is the basic building block of many semiconductor devices. Two important processes occur during the formation of a p-n junction: diffusion and drift. When such a junction is formed, a ’depletion layer’ is created consisting of immobile ion-cores. This is responsible for a junction potential barrier. The width of a depletion layer and the height of potential barrier changes when a junction is forward-biased or reverse-biased. A semiconductor diode is basically a p-n junction with metallic contacts provided at the ends for application of an external voltage. Using diodes, alternating voltages can be rectified. 

Question: 1

Which of the following is a donor impurity atom for Ge?

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Donor impurities for semiconductors are typically from group V elements (e.g., Antimony, Arsenic). They donate electrons to the conduction band, making the material n-type. Acceptor impurities are from group III elements (e.g., Boron, Aluminium), which accept electrons from the semiconductor, making the material p-type.
Updated On: Jun 20, 2025
  • Boron
  • Antimony
  • Aluminium
  • Indium
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

In semiconductor physics, donor impurities are elements that have more valence electrons than the host semiconductor. For germanium (Ge), which is a group IV element, donor impurities are typically from group V elements, which have five valence electrons. - Boron and Aluminium are group III elements, which have three valence electrons and are acceptor impurities for Ge. - Antimony and Indium are group V and III elements, respectively. Antimony is a donor impurity for Ge because it has five valence electrons, which means it can donate an extra electron to the conduction band of Ge. - Indium is an acceptor impurity for Ge, as it has three valence electrons. Thus, the correct donor impurity atom for Ge is Antimony.
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Question: 2

When a pentavalent atom occupies the position of an atom in the crystal lattice of Si, four of its electrons form covalent bonds with four silicon neighbours, while the fifth remains bound to the parent atom. The energy required to set this electron free is about:

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In semiconductor physics, donor electrons, which are introduced by pentavalent impurities, are typically freed with low energy (around 0.05 eV in silicon). This low energy requirement is why silicon can easily be doped to control charge carrier concentration in electronic devices.
Updated On: Jun 20, 2025
  • 0.5 eV
  • 0.1 eV
  • 0.05 eV
  • 0.01 eV
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

In this scenario, a pentavalent atom (such as phosphorus or arsenic) is substituted into the silicon (Si) crystal lattice. The pentavalent atom has five valence electrons, while silicon has only four valence electrons. - Four of the pentavalent atom's electrons form covalent bonds with four silicon atoms surrounding it, maintaining the regular bonding structure. - The fifth electron, which doesn't participate in bonding, is loosely bound to the pentavalent atom. This fifth electron is known as the donor electron, and the energy required to free this electron from the parent atom is referred to as the ionization energy of the donor. The typical energy required to release this electron in silicon is approximately 0.05 eV. Thus, the energy required to set the electron free is about 0.05 eV.
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Question: 3

During formation of a p-n junction:

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During the formation of a p-n junction, diffusion dominates at first, causing charge carriers to move across the junction, leading to the development of the depletion region and the formation of a built-in electric field.
Updated On: Jun 20, 2025
  • a layer of negative charge on n-side and a layer of positive charge on p-side appear.
  • a layer of positive charge on n-side and a layer of negative charge on p-side appear.
  • the electrons on p-side of the junction move to n-side initially.
  • initially diffusion current is small and drift current is large.
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

When a p-n junction is formed, the diffusion of electrons and holes occurs. Initially, when the p-type and n-type materials come into contact: 1. Diffusion of charge carriers: - Electrons from the n-side (which have a higher concentration) diffuse to the p-side (where they are in lower concentration). - Similarly, holes from the p-side diffuse to the n-side. 2. Formation of a depletion region: - As electrons move from the n-side to the p-side, they recombine with holes, leaving behind a layer of negative charge (due to the immobile ionized donors) on the n-side. - Similarly, holes moving to the n-side leave behind a layer of positive charge (due to immobile ionized acceptors) on the p-side. Thus, initially, the electrons on the p-side of the junction move to the n-side, causing the formation of a depletion region. Therefore, the correct answer is (C).
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Question: 4

In reverse-biased p-n junction:

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In a reverse-biased p-n junction, the current is very small and primarily due to the minority carriers. The applied voltage is mostly dropped across the depletion region, leading to a small reverse current.
Updated On: Jun 20, 2025
  • the drift current is of the order of few mA
  • the applied voltage mostly drops across the depletion region.
  • the depletion region width decreases.
  • the current increases with increase in applied voltage.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

In a reverse-biased p-n junction, the applied voltage causes the electrons in the n-side to move away from the junction, and holes from the p-side to do the same, leading to the expansion of the depletion region. - Drift Current: The drift current in reverse bias is extremely small, on the order of nanoamperes (nA), not milliampere (mA), making option (A) incorrect. - Voltage Drop: In reverse bias, most of the applied voltage is dropped across the depletion region, as the electric field in this region opposes the flow of carriers, which makes option (B) correct. - Depletion Region: As the reverse voltage increases, the depletion region width increases, not decreases, making option (C) incorrect. - Current: The reverse current is almost constant and very small, regardless of the increase in reverse voltage, making option (D) incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is (B).
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Question: 5

The output frequency of a full-wave rectifier with 50 Hz as input frequency is:

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In a full-wave rectifier, the output frequency is always twice the input frequency because both halves of the input signal are used in the rectification process.
Updated On: Jun 20, 2025
  • 25 Hz
  • 50 Hz
  • 100 Hz
  • 200 Hz
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

A full-wave rectifier inverts the negative half of the input signal, and hence the output frequency is double the input frequency. If the input frequency is 50 Hz, the output frequency will be: \[ f_{\text{output}} = 2 \times f_{\text{input}} = 2 \times 50 \, \text{Hz} = 100 \, \text{Hz} \] Thus, the correct answer is (C).
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Question: 6

In reverse-biased p-n junction:

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In a reverse-biased p-n junction, the current is very small and primarily due to the minority carriers. The applied voltage is mostly dropped across the depletion region, leading to a small reverse current.
Updated On: Jun 20, 2025
  • the drift current is of the order of few mA
  • the applied voltage mostly drops across the depletion region.
  • the depletion region width decreases.
  • the current increases with increase in applied voltage.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

In a reverse-biased p-n junction, the applied voltage causes the electrons in the n-side to move away from the junction, and holes from the p-side to do the same, leading to the expansion of the depletion region. - Drift Current: The drift current in reverse bias is extremely small, on the order of nanoamperes (nA), not milliampere (mA), making option (A) incorrect. - Voltage Drop: In reverse bias, most of the applied voltage is dropped across the depletion region, as the electric field in this region opposes the flow of carriers, which makes option (B) correct. - Depletion Region: As the reverse voltage increases, the depletion region width increases, not decreases, making option (C) incorrect. - Current: The reverse current is almost constant and very small, regardless of the increase in reverse voltage, making option (D) incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is (B).
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Question: 7

The output frequency of a full-wave rectifier with 50 Hz as input frequency is:

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In a full-wave rectifier, the output frequency is always twice the input frequency because both halves of the input signal are used in the rectification process.
Updated On: Jun 20, 2025
  • 25 Hz
  • 50 Hz
  • 100 Hz
  • 200 Hz
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

A full-wave rectifier inverts the negative half of the input signal, and hence the output frequency is double the input frequency. If the input frequency is 50 Hz, the output frequency will be: \[ f_{\text{output}} = 2 \times f_{\text{input}} = 2 \times 50 \, \text{Hz} = 100 \, \text{Hz} \] Thus, the correct answer is (C).
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