What is the difference between a pn junction and a pnp junction?
Sure, here's the difference between a PN junction and a pnp junction:
PN junction:
- A PN junction is a type of junction between two different types of semiconductor materials, typically silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge).
- In a PN junction, the two materials have different energy band gaps, which means they have different levels of energy available to electrons and holes.
- When a positive charge is added to the p-type region, it creates a hole in the n-type region.
- When a negative charge is added to the n-type region, it creates an electron in the p-type region.
- The PN junction is a two-terminal device, meaning it can only conduct current in one direction.
pnp junction:
- A pnp junction is a type of junction between three different types of semiconductor materials, typically silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and phosphorus (P).
- In a pnp junction, the three materials have different energy band gaps, which means they have different levels of energy available to electrons, holes, and positively charged impurities.
- When a positive charge is added to the p-type region, it creates a hole in the n-type region.
- When a negative charge is added to the n-type region, it creates an electron in the p-type region.
- The pnp junction is a three-terminal device, meaning it can conduct current in both directions.