Differentiate between avalanche and zener breakdown.
January 26, 2016
13. Differentiate between avalanche and zener breakdown.
* Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown are processes by which diodes begin to conduct significant currents, when they are subject to a high reverse voltage.
* Zener breakdown occurs when the doping levels are high, and involves electrons tunnelling from the valence band of the p side to the conduction band on the n side.
* Avalanche breakdown occurs when charge carriers which are accelerated by the electric field gain enough kinetic energy such that, when they collide with lattice atoms, they ionise the lattice atoms to produce electron-ion pairs. These pairs, in turn, cause further ionisations, leading to an “avalanche” effect.
* Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown are processes by which diodes begin to conduct significant currents, when they are subject to a high reverse voltage.
* Zener breakdown occurs when the doping levels are high, and involves electrons tunnelling from the valence band of the p side to the conduction band on the n side.
* Avalanche breakdown occurs when charge carriers which are accelerated by the electric field gain enough kinetic energy such that, when they collide with lattice atoms, they ionise the lattice atoms to produce electron-ion pairs. These pairs, in turn, cause further ionisations, leading to an “avalanche” effect.
