Arrange the following steps involved in working of photodiode in sequ…

The correct answer is Option (2) → C, B, A, D, E

A photodiode is a reverse-biased p-n junction whose current is controlled by light. The steps follow cause and effect:

C. Illumination with light — light falls on the junction.

B. Absorption of photons — photons with energy greater than the band gap are absorbed.

A. Electron hole pair generation — each absorbed photon lifts an electron to the conduction band and leaves a hole behind.

D. Separation of electron-hole pair — the junction field pulls the electron and the hole apart before they recombine.

E. Collection of electrons in n-side and holes in p-side — the charges collected on the two sides give the photocurrent.

So the order is C, B, A, D, E.

Note: This question is from the pre-rationalised NCERT book (2022-23). The topic was removed from the latest NCERT book (2026-27), and it also appears to be out of the CUET 2026 syllabus.

NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Optoelectronic Junction Devices – “… When the photodiode is illuminated with light (photons) with energy (hν) greater than the energy gap (E_g) of the semiconductor, then electron-hole pairs are generated due to the absorption of photons. … Due to electric field of the junction, electrons and holes are separated before they recombine. The direction of the electric field is such that electrons reach n-side and holes reach p-side. Electrons are collected on n-side and holes are collected on p-side giving rise to an emf.”