# Semiconductor diode (graph quesiton)

1. Mar 31, 2014

### darksyesider

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

The current-voltage characteristic curve of a semiconductor diode as a function of temperature T is given by the equation: $I = I_0(e^{|e|\Delta V / k_BT}-1)$
where e is the base of the natural logarithm.
|e| is the charge of an electron
k_B is the boltzmann's constant
and T is the absolute temperature.

Set up a spreadsheet to calculate I and R = ΔV/I for V = 0.400V to 0.600V at 0.005 V increments. Assume I_0 = 1.00nA. Scatterplot R versus ΔV for T = 280K, 300K, 320 K. Plot the temperatures.

2. Relevant equations

see above
3. The attempt at a solution

I don't get how you can set up a spreadsheet to calculate I….aren't we missing the value of T?
And if "T" is suppose to be the absolute temperature, wouldn't it be 0 K making the fraction undefined?

2. Mar 31, 2014

### Staff: Mentor

It looks like they want results for the 3 temperatures given. Maybe make the first column the voltage, then calculate I in 3 more columns, one for each temperature.

I don't get the bolded part of the question, though. Is that copied exactly from your assignment?