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When a forward bias is applied to a p-n junction, it ________.

Asked in GUJCET 2022 · Depletion region and barrier potential

Answer: (3) lowers the potential barrier

Step-by-step solution

Idea: in forward bias the positive terminal of the battery is joined to the p side and the negative terminal to the n side, so the applied field inside the depletion layer points against the built-in field.

The barrier the carriers see becomes V₀ - V instead of V₀.

With a lower barrier the depletion layer narrows, and many more holes from the p side and electrons from the n side have enough energy to cross the junction.

That diffusion is the forward current.

So applying a forward bias lowers the potential barrier.

Why the other options are wrong

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