Physics Electronics PMDC Conceptual Practice
PMDC Verified Question 128 of 494
A photodiode fabricated from a semiconductor with an energy band gap of \( E_g = 0.60\text{ eV} \) can detect electromagnetic radiation up to what maximum (threshold) wavelength? (Take \( h c \approx 1240\text{ eV}\cdot\text{nm} \))
A
1033 nm
B
2066 nm
C
620 nm
D
4132 nm
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option B: 2066 nm
Concept:

Photodetection requires the incident photon energy to be greater than or equal to the semiconductor energy band gap (\( E_{\text{photon}} \ge E_g \)).

Formula:

$$\lambda_{\text{max}} = \frac{h c}{E_g}$$

Solution:

  • Given: \( E_g = 0.60\text{ eV} \) and \( h c \approx 1240\text{ eV}\cdot\text{nm} \).


  • \( \lambda_{\text{max}} = \frac{1240\text{ eV}\cdot\text{nm}}{0.60\text{ eV}} = \frac{1240}{0.60} \approx 2066.6\text{ nm} \approx 2066\text{ nm} \).


  • Photons with wavelengths longer than \( 2066\text{ nm} \) carry insufficient energy to excite electron-hole pairs across this bandgap.


Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option A: 1033 nm corresponds to a band gap of \( 1.20\text{ eV} \) (double 0.6 eV).
  • Option C: 620 nm corresponds to \( E_g = 2.0\text{ eV} \).
  • Option D: 4132 nm corresponds to \( E_g = 0.30\text{ eV} \).

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