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Difference Between Zener Breakdown and Avalanche Breakdown PDF

Zener breakdown occurs when high-velocity electrons collide with atoms in a reverse-biased diode, freeing electrons and increasing current. Avalanche breakdown happens when a high reverse voltage increases the electric field, freeing electrons that collide with other atoms and creating more electrons in a rapid increase in current. The main difference is that Zener breakdown is due to the high electric field, while avalanche breakdown is due to electron collisions. Both can occur simultaneously in Zener diodes.

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399 views

Difference Between Zener Breakdown and Avalanche Breakdown PDF

Zener breakdown occurs when high-velocity electrons collide with atoms in a reverse-biased diode, freeing electrons and increasing current. Avalanche breakdown happens when a high reverse voltage increases the electric field, freeing electrons that collide with other atoms and creating more electrons in a rapid increase in current. The main difference is that Zener breakdown is due to the high electric field, while avalanche breakdown is due to electron collisions. Both can occur simultaneously in Zener diodes.

Uploaded by

Gunda Teja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Difference Between Zener Breakdown and Avalanche

Breakdown
byjus.com/physics/difference-between-zener-breakdown-and-avalanche-breakdown/

Breakdown diodes can be defined as a two-terminal electrical components. Different


types of diodes are available in the market that are fabricated with semiconductor
objects such as Silicon and Germanium. The overall objective of the diode is to allow the
current to flow only in one direction and block the current in reverse direction.

PN Junction Breakdown
An electrical breakdown of any material such as the conductor, semiconductor and
insulator can occur due to two different phenomena known as a) Zener Breakdown b)
Avalanche Breakdown.

What is Zener Breakdown?


When the diode is reverse biased, the kinetic energy of the electrons increases and they
move at a high velocity. The high-velocity electrons collide with other atoms and give rise
to free electrons. These free electrons, in turn, give rise to a high value of reverse
saturation current. This is known as Zener breakdown.

What is Avalanche Breakdown?


The avalanche breakdown occurs when a high reverse voltage is applied across the
diode. As we increase the applied reverse voltage, the electric field across the junction
increases. This electric field exerts a force on the electrons at the junction and frees
them from covalent bonds. These free electrons start moving with high velocity across
the junction and collide with the other atoms, thus creating more free electrons. This
results in the rapid increase in net current. Both these breakdowns occur in Zener

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diodes.

Volt-Ampere Characteristics of Si and Ge Zener Diode

Zener Breakdown vs Avalanche Breakdown


The main difference between Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown is their
mechanism of occurrence. Zener breakdown occurs because of the high electric field
whereas, the avalanche breakdown occurs because of the collision of free electrons with
atoms. Both these breakdowns can occur simultaneously. Let us look at the other
differences between them in the below table.

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Zener Breakdown Avalanche Breakdown

The process in which the electrons The process of applying high voltage
move across the barrier from the and increasing the free electrons or
valence band of p-type material to the electric current in semiconductors and
conduction band of n-type material is insulating materials is called an
known as Zener breakdown. avalanche breakdown.

This is observed in Zener diodes having This is observed in Zener diode having
a Zener breakdown voltage \(V_{z}\) of 5 a Zener breakdown voltage \(V_{z}\)
to 8 volts. greater than 8 volts.

The valence electrons are pulled into The valence electrons are pushed to
conduction due to the high electric field conduction due to the energy
in the narrow depletion region. imparted by accelerated electrons,
which gain their velocity due to their
collision with other atoms.

The increase in temperature decreases The increase in temperature increases


the breakdown voltage. the breakdown voltage.

The VI characteristics of a Zener The VI characteristic curve of the


breakdown has a sharp curve. avalanche breakdown is not as sharp
as the Zener breakdown.

It occurs in diodes that are highly It occurs in diodes that are lightly
doped. doped.

The difference between avalanche breakdown and Zener breakdown is important as


most of us get confused between the two. To know more about other differences, Visit
BYJU’S.

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