In a p-n junction depletion region has a thickness of the order of

Options

A. 1 cm
B. 1 mm
C. `10^(-6)m`
D. `10^(-12)cm`

Answer

To determine the thickness of the depletion region in a p-n junction, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the p-n Junction**:
- A p-n junction is formed by joining p-type and n-type semiconductors. The p-type semiconductor has an abundance of holes (positive charge carriers), while the n-type has an abundance of electrons (negative charge carriers).

2. **Formation of the Depletion Region**:
- When the p-n junction is formed, electrons from the n-type region diffuse into the p-type region and recombine with holes. This movement of charge carriers leads to the formation of a depletion region, which is devoid of free charge carriers.

3. **Thickness of the Depletion Region**:
- The thickness of the depletion region is influenced by factors such as the doping concentration of the p-type and n-type materials and the applied voltage. Typically, the depletion width is very small.

4. **Estimating the Order of Magnitude**:
- The thickness of the depletion region in a p-n junction is generally on the order of micrometers (10^-6 meters). This is a standard value observed in most semiconductor devices.

5. **Evaluating the Options**:
- Given the options:
- 1 cm (10^-2 m)
- 1 mm (10^-3 m)
- 10^-6 m
- 10^-12 cm (which is 10^-14 m)
- The option that corresponds to the typical thickness of the depletion region is 10^-6 m.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the thickness of the depletion region in a p-n junction is approximately 10^-6 meters.

### Final Answer:
The thickness of the depletion region in a p-n junction is of the order of **10^-6 meters**.

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