Consider the case where a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor are placed in perfect vacuum. Now, the two junctions are brought together. In the time immediately after they are brought in contact (say the first 1 micro seconds after they are brought in contact), the electrons from the N-side will diffuse into P-side and holes from P-side will diffuse into N-side. During this period, will I detect a current in the wire connecting the P-side to the N-side? If the answer to the above question is yes, what happens if I do not have any sort of external circuit? Is the depletion region not formed?

Bringing P-type and N-type semiconductors together in vacuum

Physics Asked on February 27, 2021

Consider the case where a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor are placed in perfect vacuum. Now, the two junctions are brought together.

In the time immediately after they are brought in contact (say the first 1 micro seconds after they are brought in contact), the electrons from the N-side will diffuse into P-side and holes from P-side will diffuse into N-side. During this period, will I detect a current in the wire connecting the P-side to the N-side?
If the answer to the above question is yes, what happens if I do not have any sort of external circuit? Is the depletion region not formed?

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