What are the effects of exceeding built-in potential in a P-N junction diode?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of exceeding the built-in potential in a P-N junction diode under forward bias conditions. Participants explore theoretical implications, potential current behavior, and the interactions between drift and diffusion currents.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the practical possibility of exceeding the built-in potential in a P-N junction diode.
  • Another participant suggests that if this condition were met, diffusion and drift currents would enhance each other, potentially leading to a very large current.
  • A different viewpoint raises the possibility that strong drift currents could result in charge carriers colliding with lattice atoms, potentially knocking out additional charge carriers.
  • Another participant proposes that an electric field could form in the opposite direction of the equilibrium electric field, allowing drift and diffusion to work together, thus creating a significant current due to new carriers generated from collisions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of exceeding the built-in potential, with no consensus reached on the outcomes or practical realizability of such a scenario.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify assumptions regarding the conditions under which these effects would occur, nor do they resolve the mathematical implications of the proposed scenarios.

hokhani
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What would happen if forward bias in a P-N junction were more than built-in potential? Could we reach to this situation practically?
 
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what do you think, and why?
 
I think in this situation, diffusion and drift currents would strengthen each other and a very large current would pass through the diode and therefore it would be an ideal situation. Could you please guide me if I am wrong?
 
What do you think would happen if the drift current magnitude got so strong that a charge carrier could collide with a lattice atom and knock another charge carrier out?
 
I think an electric field would be made in the opposite direction of the equilibrium electric field, so that we have both drift and diffusion in the same direction strengthening each other, and due to collision with bound electrons in the new depletion region,new carriers would be made and drifted. therefore a very large current would be made. Could you please guide me.
 

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