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Because if you forward-biased them they would always conduct, even in total darkness.

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Q: Why semiconductor photo-diodes are reverse biased?
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Why do we get current in reverse bias?

because semiconductor diodes are not perfect insulators when reverse biased. if you want a diode that is a perfect insulator when reverse biased, use a vacuum tube diode.


What is a barrier voltage?

The voltage across a forward-biased PN junction in a semiconductor diode or transistor.


Why collector base junction is always reverse biased for normal operation of transistors?

collector junction is reverse biased so as to remove the charge carriers away from its junction with the base.


A transistor is in active region when?

a transistor in active region when emitter junction is forward biased nd collector junction is reverse biased


What is the effect of temperature on photodiode?

photodiodes are basically reverse biased diodes with optical windows that allow like to shine on the PN junction. Like any diode, the leakage current (otherwise known as a photodiodes 'dark' current) increases exponentually with temperature in accordance to William Shockley's idea diode eqation. The other effect in a photo diode is the probability of a photon of a certain energy allowing an electron to cross the PN junction. This is known as the quantum efficiency of the photodiode. Because increasing temperatures increase the vibration of the silicon atoms, making them easier to be knocked loose by a photon. Thus the quantum efficiency of a photodiode will increase with tempature, as well as the thermally induced noise. photodiodes are basically reverse biased diodes with optical windows that allow like to shine on the PN junction. Like any diode, the leakage current (otherwise known as a photodiodes 'dark' current) increases exponentually with temperature in accordance to William Shockley's idea diode eqation. The other effect in a photo diode is the probability of a photon of a certain energy allowing an electron to cross the PN junction. This is known as the quantum efficiency of the photodiode. Because increasing temperatures increase the vibration of the silicon atoms, making them easier to be knocked loose by a photon. Thus the quantum efficiency of a photodiode will increase with tempature, as well as the thermally induced noise. photodiodes are basically reverse biased diodes with optical windows that allow like to shine on the PN junction. Like any diode, the leakage current (otherwise known as a photodiodes 'dark' current) increases exponentually with temperature in accordance to William Shockley's idea diode eqation. The other effect in a photo diode is the probability of a photon of a certain energy allowing an electron to cross the PN junction. This is known as the quantum efficiency of the photodiode. Because increasing temperatures increase the vibration of the silicon atoms, making them easier to be knocked loose by a photon. Thus the quantum efficiency of a photodiode will increase with tempature, as well as the thermally induced noise.

Related questions

Why do we get current in reverse bias?

because semiconductor diodes are not perfect insulators when reverse biased. if you want a diode that is a perfect insulator when reverse biased, use a vacuum tube diode.


What is a device made of semiconductor material that acts like a switch controlling the flow of electrons in a chip?

if a diode is in forward biased the diode acts as switch is on and when we apply the diode in reverse biased then it work as the switch as off.


When both junction of npn diode reverse biased the the diode in what state?

reverse biased


What is the reverse recovery time of semiconductor diode?

When a diode passes from forward biased to reverse biased it takes a short period of time for the charge carriers in the vicinity of the junction to recombine and create a nonconducting depletion region. During this time period the diode conducts in the reverse direction, this is called the reverse recovery time. Its different for every kind of diode, to get the value for a specific diode consult the datasheet.


What is N-well in VLSI?

An N-well in VLSI is a deep zone of highly N-type doped semiconductor, usually used to create reverse biased isolation junctions between components.


How is a non-conducting diode biased?

A nonconducting diode is biased in the reversed direction (reverse polarization).


Explain the working principal of diode with diagram?

A diode when forward biased will allow the flow of current while reverse biasing will cut off the flow of current. It is the basic building block of any semiconductor.


What is PIV.Why PIV of a semiconductor diode is important?

peak inverse voltage... piv of semiconductor is impoetant bcz we need to know after a peak voltage the diode get breakdown or damaged... so we need to know the peak voltage. piv is a point which withstands the maximum reverse biased voltage. after which the diode get damaged.


A varactor diode is operated under reverse biased conditionwhy?

because reverse biased current is constant upto avalanche breakdown.


Why silicon controlled rectifier doesn't work in reverse biased condition?

Because when reverse biased it behaves like any other rectifier/diode.


What is a barrier voltage?

The voltage across a forward-biased PN junction in a semiconductor diode or transistor.


Why collector base junction is always reverse biased for normal operation of transistors?

collector junction is reverse biased so as to remove the charge carriers away from its junction with the base.