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Zenerdiodes

The document discusses the characteristics and operation of a zener diode. It explains that zener breakdown occurs when the electric field breaks covalent bonds, generating electron-hole pairs. Once in the breakdown region, the reverse voltage remains constant while the reverse current is determined by the external circuit. The zener diode operates in reverse bias and is used to provide a stable reference voltage despite varying supply voltages.

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Imran Abdullah
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137 views

Zenerdiodes

The document discusses the characteristics and operation of a zener diode. It explains that zener breakdown occurs when the electric field breaks covalent bonds, generating electron-hole pairs. Once in the breakdown region, the reverse voltage remains constant while the reverse current is determined by the external circuit. The zener diode operates in reverse bias and is used to provide a stable reference voltage despite varying supply voltages.

Uploaded by

Imran Abdullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Zener Diode

The linear approximation to the I-V


characteristic of a zener diode in the reverse
bias and breakdown regions is as follows.

Zener Diode
The slope of the line at Q is 1/rZ
rZ is called the incremental resistance of the
zener diode
This is exaggerated for clarity in the figure.
In practice rZ is small (a few ohms) and the
breakdown voltage is approximately
constant irrespective of the reverse current.

Zener Diode
Zener breakdown occurs when the electric
field in the depletion layer increases to the
point where it can break covalent bonds and
generate electron-hole pairs.
Electrons generated in this way are swept
by the electric field into the n side.
Holes generated in this way are swept by
the electric field into the p side.

Zener Current
These electrons and holes constitute a
reverse current through the junction.
Once the zener effect starts a large number
of carriers can be generated with negligible
increase in the junction voltage.
In the breakdown region the reverse current
is thus determined by the external circuit,the
reverse voltage across the diode remains
close to the rated breakdown voltage.

Zener Diode
The other breakdown mechanism is
avalanche breakdown.
This occurs when minority carrier in the
depletion layer gain sufficient kinetic
energy to break covalent bonds in atoms
when they collide.

Zener Diode
Avalanche breakdown.
Carriers liberated may have or gain
sufficient energy to cause other carriers to
be generated.
This process continues in the fashion of an
avalanche
Many carriers can be created to support any
reverse current determined by the external
current.

Zener Diode
The device is operated in reverse bias.
Thus we reverse the sign notation that we
normally use for diode voltages and
currents, as shown on the next slide

Zener Diode
The device is operated in reverse bias.
Thus we reverse the sign notation that we
normally use for diode voltages and
currents, as shown on the next slide

Zener Diode
The device is operated in reverse bias.
Thus we reverse the sign notation that we
normally use for diode voltages and
currents, as shown on the next slide

Zener Diode
With this notation, in the zener region:

Vz = Vzo + rzIz

Zener Diode
The Zener diode is used to provide a stable
reference voltage in the face of a varying
supply voltage.

Zener Reference Voltage Circuit


Circuit diagrams and model:

Circuit diagrams (Same


circuit)

Model

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