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The main difference between Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown is their mechanism of occurrence. Zener breakdown occurs because of the high electric field. The avalanche breakdown occurs because of the collision of free electrons with atoms. Both these breakdowns can occur simultaneously.
Nov 30, 2023 · The Zener breakdown is observed because of the reverse saturation current from free electrons generated by the reverse biased junction whereas the Avalanche breakdown is observed because of the current generated by the high electric field produced by applying high reverse voltage across diode.
The Zener and Avalanche breakdown both occur in diode under reverse bias. The avalanche breakdown occurs because of the ionisation of electrons and hole pairs whereas the Zener breakdown occurs because of heavy doping. These are explained below in details.
Avalanche breakdown: Avalanche breakdown occurs in a PN junction diode which is reasonably doped and has a thick depletion layer. It usually occurs when a high reverse voltage is applied across the diode. As we keep on increasing the reverse voltage, the electric field also keeps increasing.
One of the significant difference between the Avalanche and the Zener breakdown is that the Avalanche breakdown occurs because of the collision of the electrons, whereas the Zener breakdown occurs because of the high electric field.
Sep 2, 2022 · The most significant difference between the two is that the Zener breakdown occurs at a relatively low reverse voltage and is reversible, while the avalanche breakdown occurs at a higher reverse voltage and it is irreversible. Hence, a Zener breakdown does not damage the diode, whereas an Avalanche breakdown may damage the diode permanently.
Avalanche diodes (commonly encountered as high voltage Zener diodes) are constructed to break down at a uniform voltage and to avoid current crowding during breakdown. These diodes can indefinitely sustain a moderate level of current during breakdown.
Dec 17, 2019 · Avalanche diodes are optimized for avalanche breakdown conditions, so they exhibit small but significant voltage drop under breakdown conditions, unlike Zener diodes that always maintain a voltage higher than breakdown.
Heavily doped diodes can undergo a different kind of breakdown. In this video let's explore what happens in a very heavily doped diode. The mechanism was first discovered by a man named Zener.
Mar 20, 2023 · In reverse bias condition, two kinds of breakdowns occur for Zener Diode which are, Avalanche Breakdown; Zener Breakdown; Avalanche Breakdown. The phenomenon of Avalanche breakdown occurs both in the ordinary diode and Zener Diode at high reverse voltage.
