Tunnel DiodeHardQuestion 20230
Question
Tunnel diode exhibits negative resistance because:
- AIt gets hotter and resistance decreases
- BQuantum tunneling decreases as forward voltage increases beyond the peak, reducing currentCorrect
- CIt has no depletion layer
- DCurrent flows in reverse direction only
Correct answer
Quantum tunneling decreases as forward voltage increases beyond the peak, reducing current
Explanation
Heavily doped tunnel diode: at low forward voltage, quantum tunneling from n to p gives high current. As V increases, the tunneling path shifts out of alignment → current decreases (negative resistance region) before normal forward current takes over at higher V.