Unijunction Transistor is such a transistor that has a single PN junction, but still not a diode. Unijunction Transistor, or simply UJT has an emitter and two bases, unlike a normal transistor. This component is especially famous for its negative resistance property and also for its application as a relaxation oscillator.

Construction of UJT

A bar of highly resistive n-type silicon, is considered to form the base structure. Two Ohmic contacts are drawn at both the ends being both the bases. An aluminum rod like structure is attached to it which becomes the emitter. This emitter lies near to the base 2 and a bit far to the base1. Both of these join to form a PN junction. As single PN junction is present, this component is called as a Unijunction transistor.

An internal resistance called as intrinsic resistance is present inside the bar whose resistance value depends upon the doping concentration of the bar. The construction and symbol of UJT are as shown below.

In the symbol, the emitter is indicated by an inclined arrow and the remaining two ends indicate the bases. As the UJT is understood as a combination of diode and some resistance, the internal structure of UJT can be indicated by an equivalent diagram to explain the working of UJT.

Working of UJT

The working of UJT can be understood by its equivalent circuit. The voltage applied at the emitter is indicated as V_E and the internal resistances are indicated as R_B1 and R_B2 at bases 1 and 2 respectively. Both resistances present internally are together called as intrinsic resistance, indicated as R_BB. The voltage across RB1 can be denoted as V₁. The dc voltage applied for the circuit to function is V_BB.

The UJT equivalent circuit is as given below.

Initially when no voltage is applied,

$$V_E = 0$$

Then the voltage V_BB is applied through R_B2. The diode D will be in reverse bias. The voltage across the diode will be VB which is the barrier voltage of the emitter diode. Due to the application of V_BB, some voltage appears at point A. So, the total voltage will be V_A + V_B.

Now if the emitter voltage V_E is increased, the current I_E flows through the diode D. This current makes the diode forward biased. The carriers get induced and the resistance R_B1 goes on decreasing. Therefore, the potential across R_B1 which means V_B1 also decreases.

$$V_{B1} = left( frac{R_{B1}}{R_{B1} + R_{B2}} right )V_{BB}$$

As V_BB is constant and R_B1 decreases to its minimum value due to the doping concentration of the channel, V_B1 also decreases.

Actually, the resistances present internally are together called as intrinsic resistance, indicated as R_BB. The resistance mentioned above can be indicated as

$$R_{BB} = R_{B1} + R_{B2}$$

$$left( frac{R_{B1}}{R_{BB}} right ) = eta$$

The symbol η is used to represent the total resistance applied.

Hence voltage across V_B1 is represented as

$$V_{B1} = eta V_{BB}$$

The emitter voltage is given as

$$V_E = V_D + V_{B1}$$

$$V_E = 0.7 + V_{B1}$$

Where V_D is the voltage across the diode.

As the diode gets forward biased, the voltage across it will be 0.7v. So, this is constant and V_B1 goes on decreasing. Hence V_E goes on decreasing. It decreases to a least value which may be denoted V_V called as Valley voltage. The voltage at which the UJT gets switched ON is the Peak Voltage denoted as V_P.

V-I Characteristics of UJT

The concept discussed till now is clearly understood from the following graph shown below.

Initially when V_E is zero, some reverse current IE flows until, the value of VE reaches a point at which

$$V_E = eta V_{BB}$$

This is the point where the curve touches the Y-axis.

When V_E reaches a voltage where

$$V_E = eta V_{BB} + V_D$$

At this point, the diode gets forward biased.

The voltage at this point is called as V_P (Peak Voltage) and the current at this point is called as I_P (Peak Current). The portion in the graph till now, is termed as Cut off region as the UJT was in OFF state.

Now, when V_E is further increased, the resistance R_B1 and then the voltage V₁ also decreases, but the current through it increases. This is the Negative resistance property and hence this region is called as Negative resistance region.

Now, the voltage V_E reaches a certain point where further increase leads to the increase in voltage across R_B1. The voltage at this point is called as V_V (Valley Voltage) and the current at this point is called as I_V (Valley Current). The region after this is termed as Saturation region.

Applications of UJT

UJTs are most prominently used as relaxation oscillators. They are also used in Phase Control Circuits. In addition, UJTs are widely used to provide clock for digital circuits, timing control for various devices, controlled firing in thyristors, and sync pulsed for horizontal deflection circuits in CRO.