How would the forward current and reverse current of a P+/N junction change when the temperature increases?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: How would the forward current and reverse current of a P+/N junction change when the temperature increases?

Option-by-option analysis:

Option 1: 'both the forward and reverse current increases'
- Reasoning: As temperature rises, the intrinsic carrier concentration in the semiconductor increases. This leads to a higher forward current for a given forward bias because there are more charge carriers available to cross the junction, and the effective barrier lowers due to bandgap narrowing with temperature. For the reverse direction, the saturation current (which is thermally generated) increases with temperature, causing the reverse current to increase as well. This option aligns with the standard temperature dependence ofP+/N junctions.

Option 2: 'the forward current increases and the reverse current decreases'
- Reasoning: While the forward current tends to rise with temperature, the statement that the reverse current decreases with temperature contradicts the typical behavior. The reverse saturation current grows with temperature because more thermally generated carriers contribute to leakage. Therefore this option is inconsistent with the physics of thermally activated carrier generation.

Option 3: 'the forward current decreases and the reverse current increases'
- Reasoning: Here, the forward current is claimed to decrease with temperature. In reality, forward current often increases with temperature at a fixed forward voltage due to increased carrier availability and reduced effective barrier. The second part (reverse current increases) is correct, but the first part makes this option incorrect overall.

Option 4: 'both the forward and reverse current decreases'
- Reasoning: Both currents decreasing with temperature would imply less carrier activity in both directions, which contradicts the well-established effect of rising temperature on intrinsic carrier concentration and leakage (reverse current). This option contradicts the physical behavior of diodes as temperature increases.

Summary of distinctions:
- The correct physical trend is that increasing temperature generally increases both forward current (at a given forward bias) and reverse current (leakage/saturation current). The remaining options fail because they misstate one or both effects, either by claiming a decrease in forward current or by incorrectly stating reverse current behavior.

EESM5200 (L2) Part I: Topic 7 - Real PN Junction Characteristics

How would the forward current and reverse current of a P+/N junction change when the temperature increases?

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