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QPages 416-417: Q10: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Semiconductors and Semiconductor Devices Pages 416-417: Q10 Solution: An ideal diode should pass a current freely in one direction…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often judge a diode’s ideality by its forward voltage drop or linearity, but an ideal diode must also block reverse current completely. The vacuum diode has essentially zero reverse saturation current ($I_{rev}approx0$), whereas a p‑n junction always leaks a small amount of minority carriers. Focus on reverse leakage rather than forward characteristics when comparing ideality.

An ideal diode should pass a current freely in one direction and should stop it completely in the opposite direction. Which is closer to ideal - vacuum diode or a p-n junction diode?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** A vacuum diode is closer to ideal. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** An ideal diode should pass current freely in one direction and completely block it in the reverse direction. A vacuum diode has no reverse saturation current (except negligible leakage). A p-n junction diode has a small reverse saturation current due to minority carriers. Hence, the vacuum diode is closer to ideal .

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