Explain the working of a forward biased p-n junction diode.

Explanation

1-V Characteristic Curve: When an external voltage V is applied across a semiconductor diode such that p-side is connected to the positive terminal of the battery and n-side to the negative terminal it is said to be forward biased.

The direction of the applied voltage (V) is opposite to the built-in potential V, in the semiconductor diode. As a result, the width of depletion layer decreases and the barrier height is reduced. If the applied voltage is small, the barrier potential will be reduced only slightly below the equilibrium value, the current will be small. If the applied voltage increase to large value, the barrier height will be reduced, the current increases.