Physics - Semiconductors Question with Solution | TestHub

In a p-n junction, when it is reverse biased, the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the n-type region and the negative terminal to the p-type region.

The applied reverse voltage is in the same direction as the built-in potential barrier. This increases the effective potential barrier across the junction.

As a result, the majority charge carriers are pulled away from the junction, which causes the width of the depletion region to increase.

Conversely, during forward biasing, the applied voltage opposes the built-in potential, causing the depletion region to decrease.

Answer: increases if reverse biased.