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Junction Diode as a Rectifier : The process of conversion of an ac voltage into a dc voltage is called rectification and the device which performs this conversion is called a rectifier. The characteristics of a p-n junction diode reveal that when a p-n junction diode is forward biased, it offers a low resistance and when it is reverse biased, it offers a high resistance. Hence, a p-n junction diode conducts only when it is forward biased. This property of a p-n junction diode makes it suitable for its use as a rectifier. Thus, when an ac voltage is applied across a p-n junction, it conducts only during those alternate half cycles for which it is forward biased. A rectifier which rectifies only half cycle of an ac voltage is called a half-wave rectifier and one that rectifies both the half cycles is known as a full-wave rectifier.
How does the energy gap of an intrinsic semiconductor effectively change when doped with a (a) trivalent impurity, and (b) pentavalent impurity ? Justify your answer in each case.
With the help of a circuit diagram, explain the working of a p-n junction diode as a full wave rectifier. Draw its input and output waveforms.
Assertion (A) : In a semiconductor, the electrons in the conduction band have lesser energy than those in the valence band. Reason (R) : Donor energy level is just above the valence band in a semiconductor.
Draw the circuit diagrams for obtaining the V – I characteristics of a p-n junction diode. Explain briefly the salient features of the V – I characteristics in (i) forward biasing, and (ii) reverse biasing.
On the basis of energy band diagrams, distinguish between (i) an insulator, (ii) a semiconductor, and (iii) a conductor.
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