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GATE 2026 EC – Question 29

Electronic Devices · P-N Junction and Semiconductor Devices · 1 mark · Multiple select

Figure shows the output characteristics of two different Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT), BJT 1 with magnitude of Early voltage $|V_{A1}|$, and BJT 2 with magnitude of Early voltage $|V_{A2}|$. Which of the following options is/are correct regarding the Early voltages?

Diagram for GATE 2026 EC question 29
  1. $|V_{A1}|>|V_{A2}|$
  2. $|V_{A1}|$ is infinitely large
  3. $|V_{A1}|<|V_{A2}|$
  4. $|V_{A2}|$ is finite

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Correct answer: (C) $|V_{A1}|<|V_{A2}|$; (D) $|V_{A2}|$ is finite

Explanation

The slope of $I_C$ vs $V_{CE}$ is about $I_C/|V_A|$, so a steeper curve means a smaller Early voltage. BJT 1 is steeper, so $|V_{A1}|<|V_{A2}|$. BJT 2 still has a nonzero slope, so $|V_{A2}|$ is finite.