I have a question about diodes and the PN junction

AI Thread Summary
The PN junction in a diode is responsible for allowing electrical current to flow in only one direction due to the movement of charge carriers. P-type material contains "holes," which are the absence of electrons, while N-type material has free electrons that can move easily. When a voltage is applied, the junction allows current to flow from the P-side to the N-side but blocks it in the reverse direction. This behavior is a fundamental characteristic of diodes, rooted in the properties of semiconductor materials. Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping the functionality of diodes in electronic circuits.
Etherealist
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Is the PN junction inside a diode what makes the electrical current only flow in one direction and not in the opposite direction? If this is so, why does it happen?
Also
Why is the P-type material said to have empty holes and the N-type material to have free electrons?
 
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Etherealist said:
Is the PN junction inside a diode what makes the electrical current only flow in one direction and not in the opposite direction?
Yes.

Etherealist said:
If this is so, why does it happen?
What have you found so far in your Google searching? There are a lot of resources on the net that explain this. What is your background in EE and solid state physics? The level of our replies will depend on your reading so far and your background, so we can try to do our best in our replies. Thanks.
 

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