Question
Explain asymmetrical flow of current in $p-n$ junction diode in detail.
✓
Answer
$i.$ The barrier potential is reduced in forward biased mode and it is increased in reverse biased mode.
$ii.$ Carriers find it easy to cross the junction in forward bias and contribute towards current because the barrier width is reduced and they are pushed towards the junction and gain extra energy to cross the junction.
$iii.$ The current through the diode in forward bias is large and of the order of a few milliamperes $(10^{-3} A)$ for a typical diode.
$iv.$ When connected in reverse bias, width of the potential barrier is increased and the carriers are pushed away from the junction so that very few carriers can cross the junction and contribute towards current.
$v.$ This results in a very small current through a reverse biased diode. The current in reverse biased diode is of the order of a few microamperes $(10^{-6} A).$
$vi.$ When the polarity of bias voltage is reversed, the width of the depletion layer changes. This results in asymmetrical current flow through a diode as shown in figure.
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