Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsSemiconductors and Semiconductor Devices
In a p - n junction, a hole diffuses from the p -side to the n -side. This indicates that
Options
- Aa conduction electron on the p -side jumps to a broken bond to fill it
- Ba bond breaks on the p -side and the electron released from the bond jumps to a broken bond on the n -side to
- Ca bond breaks on the n -side and the electron released from the bond jumps to a broken bond on the p -side to
- Da bond breaks on the n -side and the electron released from the bond jumps to the conduction band
Correct answer
C. a bond breaks on the n -side and the electron released from the bond jumps to a broken bond on the p -side to
Step-by-step solution
A hole in a semiconductor is a vacancy in a covalent bond (valence band). The movement of a hole from one position to another is physically realized by the movement of a valence electron in the opposite direction. When a hole diffuses from the p -side to the n -side, a valence electron from the n -side must move to the p -side to fill the vacancy. This means a covalent bond breaks on the n -side, and the electron released from this bond jumps to fill a broken bond (hole) on the p -side. As a result, the vacancy (ho