The crucial difference between JFET and MOSFET is that in JFETs, the conductivity of the channel is controlled by the electric field across the reverse-biased PN junction. Conversely, in MOSFET, the conductivity of the channel is controlled by transverse electric field across the insulating layer deposited on the semiconductor material.
MOSFET Transistor is a special type of transistor that is used in various digital circuits and amplifying electronic signals. But if you ‘re in search of more application about the MOSFET transistor or want to gain more information about this post is for you. JFET or Field effect transistors are electrical devices that are either used as amplifiers or switches and have become an integral part of memory chips. JFET and MOSFET are two kinds of FET that work on the principle of junction transistors but are quite different from each other.
When we talk about the operating principle and characteristics then the two are almost similar. Although some aspects differentiate the two. MOSFET is basically an advanced version of FET. It was simply invented to overcome the disadvantages of FETs.
Both finds its applications in amplification of electric signals as they have the ability to change conductivity with respect to the voltage applied.
Till now we have discussed crucial factors that discriminate FET from MOSFET. Now, let’s move further and discuss other important difference between FET and MOSFET using the comparison chart.
Content: JFET Vs MOSFET
Comparison Chart
Parameters | JFET | MOSFET |
---|---|---|
Mode of operation | It operates only in depletion mode. | It can be operated in either depletion or enhancement mode. |
Symbol | ||
Input impedance | JFET have much smaller input impedance mainly of the order of 108 Ω. | MOSFETs have much higher input impedance of about 1010 to 1015 Ω due to small leakage current. |
Characteristic curve | As JFET has higher drain resistance, the characteristic curve is more flatter. | The characteristic curve is less flat than those of JFET. |
Drain resistance | JFET has drain resistance of the order of 105 to 106 Ω | Drain resistance in case of MOSFETs is of the order of 1 to 50 K Ω. |
Fabrication | Fabrication process of JFET is more difficult than MOSFET. | MOSFET can be easily fabricated thus it is more widely used. |
Cost | Manufacturing of JFET is cheaper as compared to MOSFET. | MOSFETs are slightly expensive as compared to JFET. |
Susceptibility to damage | It does not require special handling. | These are more susceptible to overload voltage and requires special handling. |
Definition of JFET
JFET is an acronym for Junction field effect transistor. The device consists of 3 terminals gate, source and drain.
In a JFET, an electric field is applied across the gate terminal that controls the flow of electric current. The current that flows from drain to source terminal is proportional to the applied gate voltage.
JFETs are basically of two types basically N-channel and P-channel.
The voltage applied across the gate to source terminal allows the electron to move from source to drain. Thus a current from drain to source flows that is termed as drain current ID.
When gate terminal is made negative with respect to the source, the width of the depletion region increases. Thus allowing less number of electrons to move from source to drain as compared to no bias condition.
As more negative gate voltage is applied the width of the depletion region will further increase. Due to this, a condition is reached which cuts off the drain current completely.
JFET has a longer life and it possesses higher efficiency.
Definition of MOSFET
MOSFET is an acronym for metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. Here also the conductivity of the device is varied according to the applied voltage. MOSFET is an advancement of FET.
MOSFETs are of two types
- Depletion type MOSFET and
- Enhancement type MOSFET
In a depletion MOSFET there exist a pre-constructed channel. So, the applied gate to source voltage switches the device to off condition.
On the contrary, in an enhancement type MOSFET, no any pre-constructed channel exists. Here, conduction starts on the creation of channel by the applied voltage.
In a D-MOS the negatively applied gate potential increases the channel resistance thus reducing the drain current. On the contrary, in E-MOS large positive gate voltage is required for its operation.
Key Differences Between JFET and MOSFET
The following points describe the difference between JFET and MOSFET:
- The factor that generates the key difference between JFET and MOSFET is that a JFET operates in only depletion mode. While MOSFET operates in both depletion and enhancement mode.
- JFET is normally termed as ON devices. As the negative gate to source voltage turns the device to OFF state. As against MOSFET is termed as normally OFF devices because in E-MOSFET applied gate voltage turns ON the device.
- Due to small leakage current, the input impedance of MOSFET is much higher as compared to JFET.
- Talking about operational speed, FET possesses slower operations and provides high drain resistance as compared to MOSFET.
- JFET possess flatter characteristic curve than those of the MOSFETs.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, we can conclude that MOSFET is somewhat better than JFET. When we talk about electrometer applications then MOSFETs are more useful than JFETs.
Related Terms:
FET stands for 'Field Effect Transistor' it is a three terminal uni polar solid state device in which current is control by an electric field.
FET can be fabricated with either N- Channel or P- Channel, for the fabrication of N-Channel JFET first a narrow bar of N-type of semiconductor material is taken and then two P-Type junction are defused on opposite sides of it's middle part, called channel. The two regions are internally connected to each other with a signal lead, which is called Gate terminal. One lead is called Source terminal and the other is called Drain terminal.Construction of FET
P-Channel JFET is similarly is constructed except that it use P- type of bar and two N- types of junctions.
Source:-
It is the terminal through which majority carriers are entered in the bar, so it is called Source.
Drain:-
It is the terminal through which the majority carriers leads the bar, so it is called the drain terminal.
Gate:-
These are two terminals which are internally connected with each other and heavily doped regions which form two PN-Junctions.

Working / Operation FET or JFET
Gate are always in reverse biased, hence the gate current IG is practically zero. The source terminal is always connected to end of the drain supply, which provides the necessary carrier, in N- Channel JFET Source terminal is connected to the negative end of the drain voltage source. The electrons flow from source to drain through the channel from D to S is started,
the current ID increases as VDS is increased from zero on ward. This relation ship between VDS and ID continuous till VDS reaches certain value called 'Pinch OFF' VPO.
When VDS is equal to zero and VGS is decreased from zero, the gate reverse bias increases the thinks of the region, as the negative value of the VGS is increase a stage cones when the two dip lections regions touch each other, in this conduction the channel is said to be Cut OFF.
JFET as Amplifier
One of the application of the JFET is an Amplifier, it amplified the weak signal connected in the Gate terminal , the input is always reversed biased, a small change in the reverse bias on the gate produce large change in the drain current, this fact make JFET capable of amplifing the weak signals
Working / Operation
When negative signal is applied at in put of the amplifier, the gate bias is increase, duplication layer is decrease, Channel resistance is increase, ID is decreased, Drop across Load Resistor is decreases, and the positive signal is present at output through C2.
When the positive signal is applied at the input the action will be the wise versa
This seen that there is phase inveration between the input signal at the gate and the output signal at the drain.
Application of JFET
JFET is used at large scale in amplifiers circuits, analog switches; it is also used in AGC system, voltage regulators, buffer amplifiers.
MOSFET
The MOSFET is sub divided in to two types,
- DE-MOSFET
- E only MOSFET
DE- MOSFET
This MOSFET could be operating in both duplication and Enhancement mode. By Changing the Polarity o VGS, when VGS is negative for the N-Channel DE- MOSFET is operate in depletion mode, however with positive gate voltage it operates in an Enhancement mode.
E- Only MOSFET
This MOSFET Operates in the only Enhancement mode. It differs only in construction from the DE- MOSFET in that there exists no channel between the drain and source.
DE-MOSFET Construction
Like JFET it has source, Gate and Drain, However its gate is insulated from its conduction channel by an ultra thin metal oxide. Insulating film usually silicon dioxides (SiO2), because of this insulating property MOSFET is also known as Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor (IGFET). In DE-MOSFET we can apply both the positive and negative voltages at gate terminal because the gate terminal is isolated from the channel.
DE-MOSFET Working / Operation
Depletion Mode
When VGS=0 electrons can flow freely from source to drain through the conduction channel, When a negative voltage is applied at gate terminal, it depletes the N- channel and its electrons by inducing positive charges in it. Grater negative voltage on the gate, grater is the reduction in the number of electrons in the channel which increase the conduction. In fact too much negative gate voltage cut off the channel, thus with negative gate voltage a DE-MOSFET behaves like a JFET, for this reason negative gate operation of DE-MOSFET is called Depletion mode Operation.
Jeet And Mosfet Are Similar
Enhancement Mode

In circuit diagram the drain current flows from source to drain even with zero gate bias, when positive voltage is applied to the gate, the input gate capacitor is able to create pre- electrons in the channel which increase the ID. Pre- electrons are induced in the channel by the capacitor action, these electrons are added to the other ready electrons for the conduction, which increase the number of electrons and these electrons increase the conductivity of the channel.
Jeet And Mosfet Are Examples
As positive gate voltage increases the number of induced electrons is increased which increase the conductivity of channel from source to drain, this way the current is also increased. The positive gate operation of the DE-MOSFET is known as enhancement mode.
Jeet And Mosfet Are Similar
Application of MOSFET
Jeet And Mosfet Are Two
MOSFET have wide application in field of electronics some of these application are given below.
Jeet And Mosfet Are Related
- As input amplifier in oscilloscope, electronic volt meter, and other measuring and testing equipment because they have high input resistance.
- It is used In logic circuits for fast switching.
- It is also used in TV receiver.
- It is used in computer circuits.
- In high frequency amplifiers.
