Scribd
Upload
13 views5 pages

Laboratory Activity 2

The laboratory activity focuses on investigating the characteristics of semiconductor diodes by measuring their voltage-current behavior under forward and reverse bias conditions. The experiment involves using a 1kΩ resistor, silicon diodes, and a DC power supply to collect data, which is then analyzed to understand diode operation. Recommendations for improving the laboratory instructions emphasize the need for clearer explanations of semiconductor principles and accurate data documentation.

Uploaded by

George Tibers
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views5 pages

Laboratory Activity 2

The laboratory activity focuses on investigating the characteristics of semiconductor diodes by measuring their voltage-current behavior under forward and reverse bias conditions. The experiment involves using a 1kΩ resistor, silicon diodes, and a DC power supply to collect data, which is then analyzed to understand diode operation. Recommendations for improving the laboratory instructions emphasize the need for clearer explanations of semiconductor principles and accurate data documentation.

Uploaded by

George Tibers
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Group 6:

Bangcong, Khennie Arnell P.

Corbita, Niel G.

Dicritan, Aznar B.

Prado, Carl Gerard C.

Sususco, Nick M.

LABORATORY ACTIVITY 2
Semiconductor PN Junction: Diode Characteristics

Objective/s:

1. To investigate the characteristics of a semiconductor diode.


2. Learn how to measure the voltage-current characteristics of
semiconductor diode.

List of Equipment and Component/s:

1 1kΩ Resistor
1 1N4001~1N4007 Silicon Diode
1 DC power supply
1 Digital Multimeter Multisim
software

Theory:

Semiconductors are materials with conductivity between that of a good conductor


and that of an insulator. Semiconductors can be intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic
semiconductors are made through the process of doping in which impurities were
added to intrinsic semiconductors to improve their electrical characteristics. An n-
material semiconductor can be made by adding pentavalent elements to intrinsic
semiconductor while a p-material semiconductor can be made by adding trivalent
elements to intrinsic semiconductor. When p- and n-material semiconductors are
attached to each other, a pn junction semiconductor diode is formed. pn
semiconductor is the basic building blocks of all other electronic devices.

The diode operates in three (3) regions of operation: (a) no bias, (b) reverse bias,
and (c) forward bias. To operate the diode in forward bias condition, the positive
terminal of diode is connected to the higher potential of the biasing circuit while the
negative terminal is connected to the lower potential. In reverse bias condition, the
terminals are connected in opposite polarities.

Procedure:

1. Forward Biased Diode.


a. Build the circuit shown in Figure 2.1 below. Use 1kΩ resistance. Is the
diode in forward bias operation or reverse biased operation? Why?
b. Set the voltage source to 0V and measure both the voltage of the
diode (𝑉𝐷) and its current (𝐼𝐷). write the results obtained in Table 2.1.
Repeat the process for the all the source voltages listed Table 2.1.
c. From the data collected in Table 2.1, plot the current versus voltage
characteristic of the forward biased diode. Make sure the horizontal
axis is the diode voltage and the vertical axis is the diode current.
d. What is your observation/s?

Figure 2.1Forward-BiasedCircuit

2. Reverse Biased Diode.


a. Build the circuit shown in Figure 2.2 below. Use 1kΩ resistance. Is the
diode in forward bias operation or reverse bias operation? Why?
b. Set the voltage source to 0V and measure both the diode’s voltage and
current. Record the results in Table 2.2. Repeat this process for the
remaining source voltage listed in the table.
c. From the data collected in Table 2.2, plot the current versus voltage
characteristic of the reverse biased diode. Make sure the horizontal
axis is the diode voltage and the vertical axis is the diode current.
d. What is your observation/s?
Figure 2.2 Reverse Biased
Rectifier
Observations:

Table 2.1 Results for Forward-Bias Diode


Supply 𝑽𝑫 𝑰𝑫

0 0 0

0.1 1.049 μV 1.049 μA

0.2 16.41 μV 16.41 nA

0.3 240 μV 240 nA

0.4 3.244 mV 3.244 μA

0.5 25.88 mV 25.88 μA

0.6 82.63 mV 82.63 μA

0.7 158.4 mV 158.4 μA

0.8 242.5 mV 242.5 μA

0.9 330.9 mV 330.9 μA

1.0 421.9 mV 421.9 μA

Graph of Forward V-I Characteristics:


Table 2.2 Results for Reverse-Bias Diode
Supply 𝑽𝑫 𝑰𝑫

20 76.9 nV 76.9 pA

40 76.9 nV 76.9 pA

60 76.9 nV 76.9 pA

80 76.9 nV 76.9 pA

100 76.9 nV 76.9 pA

120 76.9 nV 76.9 pA

140 76.9 nV 76.9 pA

Graph of Reverse V-I Characteristics:

Conclusions:

When you connect the terminal of the diode to the potential of the
biasing circuit, in a forward biased configuration it allows current to flow
through the diode. This happens because charge carriers can move in the
direction as the bias of the diode, which is supported by an external voltage
source. To analyze this behavior different source voltages were used to
measure both voltage (VD) and current (ID) across the diode. These
observations were recorded in Table 2.1. By examining the data presented in
Table 2.1 it becomes evident that as the voltage across the diode increases
in the direction there is also an increase in flow. It can be observed that while
operating under bias conditions the diode conducts current effectively. Long
as we do not exceed its voltage drop limit we see a relatively linear growth in
current with increasing voltage. Now lets consider a reverse biased
configuration of a diode; In this case we connect its terminal to a potential
with reversed polarity compared to before. This arrangement aims to prevent
flow through the diode. Similar measurements were taken for both voltage
and current at source voltages, for this reverse biased setup. These findings
are documented in Table 2.2. If you examine the data presented in Table 2.2
you will notice that as the bias voltage increases the current passing through
the diode remains extremely low or non existent. It is evident that with an
increase, in voltage the diode does not allow a flow of current when it is,
under reverse bias conditions.

Recommendation/s:
It would be helpful if the laboratory instructions clarified the fundamental
principles of semiconductor physics, such as how doping affects conductivity and
how diodes function under forward and reverse bias. Students would gain a better
understanding of the experiments' underlying theory as a result. Encourage your
kids to measure accurately and systematically document their findings. This entails
identifying the units of measurement and making sure the data is set out in a way
that is clear and easy to comprehend. Overall, these suggestions are meant to
improve the laboratory experiment's instructional value and aid students in
developing a deeper comprehension of semiconductor physics and diode operation.

You might also like