The current in a reverse bias is called leakage current. This current is due to which of the following reasons?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is option 3: drift of the minority carriers
In a reverse-biased p-n junction:
-
The majority carriers are blocked by the widened depletion region, so they do not contribute significantly to current.
-
A small current still flows, called the leakage current, and this is due to the minority carriers.
Minority carriers:
-
In the p-region, electrons (minority) drift toward the positive terminal.
-
In the n-region, holes (minority) drift toward the negative terminal.
This movement is driven by the electric field, so it is called drift of the minority carriers.