MHT CET202620 April 2026Evening ShiftPhysicsSemiconductorsActual
The depletion region of p-n junction
Options
- Aincreases if reverse biased.
- Bincreases if forward biased.
- Cdecreases if reverse biased.
- Dremains same in reverse and forward biasing.
Correct answer
A. increases if reverse biased.
Step-by-step solution
In a p-n junction, when it is reverse biased, the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the n-type region and the negative terminal to the p-type region. The applied reverse voltage is in the same direction as the built-in potential barrier. This increases the effective potential barrier across the junction. As a result, the majority charge carriers are pulled away from the junction, which causes the width of the depletion region to increase. Conversely, during forward biasing, the applied voltage oppose