Physics of Semiconductor Devices

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Capacitance-Voltage Characteristics

The capacitance of a pn junction depends on the width W of the depletion layer.

If the junction is heavily p-doped then it will be an asymmetric p+n junction where Na >> Nd. In this case the total depletion width is approximately equal to the depletion width on just the n-side of the junction.

To experimentally characterize a pn-junction, often the capacitance is measured as a function of the applied voltage. For an abrupt p+n junction, a plot of 1/Cj² versus V is a straight line. The formula can be determined from the above two equations. The slope and intercept of this line give the doping concentration and built-in potential.

The capacitance-voltage characteristic of a silicon p+n-junction with an area of 0.006 cm² is measured. The results of this measurement are shown in the table on the right.

What is the doping concentration and the built-in potential?

Nd = 1/cm³

Vbi = V

The dielectric constant of silicon is εr = 11.9.

     
voltage [V]  capacitance [F]
05.1549427533555E-11
-0.54.0439411081633E-11
-13.4367160387474E-11
-1.53.0403102813239E-11
-22.75552304379E-11
-2.52.5382065180069E-11
-32.3653355648354E-11
-3.52.2235700707454E-11
-42.1045769754517E-11
-4.52.0028471730757E-11
-51.9145733477256E-11
-5.51.8370287321133E-11
-61.7682023086018E-11
-6.51.7065740598296E-11
-71.6509708625569E-11
-7.51.6004709171521E-11
-81.554338505795E-11
-8.51.5119783240129E-11
-91.4729028038823E-11
-9.51.436708275475E-11
-101.403057273566E-11