Experiment- 07
AIM:
To draw the I-V characteristic curves of a p-n Junction in forward bias and
reverse bias.
APPARATUS:
P-N Junction diode kit, connecting wires power supply
THEORY:
I-V characteristics of a p-n junction diode means the variation of current as
a function of applied voltage. In forward biasing, the current first increases
very slowly almost negligibly till the voltage across the diode crosses the
certain value called the threshold voltage or cut-in-voltage Beyond this
characteristic voltage, the diode current increases significantly even for a
small increase in the diode bias voltage.
In reverse biasing, the current is very small, of the order of micro amperes
and almost remains constant with bias. It is called reverse saturation
current.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Lest count of voltmeter used in Forward Bias
Range 1 .5
=
no . of div 60 = 0.025 Volt
2. Least count of milliammmeter used in forward Bias
Range 15 mA
=
no. of div 50 = 0.3 m A
3. Least count of voltmeter used in Reverse Bias
Range 10
=
no . of div 50 = 0.2 volt
4. Least count of micro ammeter used in Reverse Bias
Range 300
=
no . of div 60 =5A
OBSERVATION TABLE
FORWARD BIAS:
Forward Bias Voltage Forward Bias Current
S. No. n L. C n1 L.C (m
n n1
(Volt) A)
1 9 0.225 2 0.6
2 14 0.350 6 1.8
3 19 0.475 10 3.0
4 24 0.600 16 4.8
5 29 0.725 21 6.3
6 34 0.85 28 8.4
7 39 0.975 34 10.2
8 44 1.1 42 12.9
9 46 1.15 46 13.8
10 48 1.20 49 14.7
REVERSE BIAS:
Reverse Bias Voltage Reverse Bias Current
S. No. m L. C m1 L. C (u
m m1
(Volt) A)
1 2 0.4 5 25
2 3 0.6 10 50
3 4 0.8 14 70
4 5 1.0 18 90
5 6 1.2 22 110
6 7 1.4 26 130
7 8 1.6 30 150
8 9 1.8 34 170
9 10 2.0 37 185
10 12 2.4 45 225
11 13 2.6 49 245
12 14 2.8 52 260
RESULT:
The I-V characteristic curve of p-n junction diode does not follow ohm's law
since the curve is not a straight line.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Connecting wires and terminals must be cleaned properly.
2. All connections should be tight.
3. Zero error must be noted properly, if any, zero corrections should be
applied
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. There may be contact resistance, if any connections remain loose.
2. Each time the points of ammeter may not be on a scale mark.
3. Zero errors of the meters may not be accurately eliminated.
