DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH

Name : J.V. Suresh Babu,

Designation : Sr. Lecturer
Branch : Electronics and Communication
Institute : Govt.Polytechnic, Anantapur
Year/Semester : I year
Subject : Electronic Components and Devices
Sub. Code : EC 105,
Topic : Semiconductor Diode
Duration : 50 mts
Sub Topic : Zener and Avalanche
Breakdown(19/20)
Teaching Aids : Animations
EC105.129 1
 OBJECTIVES

On completion of this period, you would be

able to understand :

• What is Zener Break down?

• What is Avalanche Break down?

EC105.129 2
Recap

We have discussed in previous topics

• Different semiconductor materials.

• Formation of PN junction

• Diode characteristics

• zender diode.

EC105.129 3
• Pn diode conducts in forward bias.

• Not conducts in reverse bias.

• Only small amount of minority current flows in

reverse bias.

• At higher reverse voltage the pn diode enters in to

break down region.

• Junction damages permanently.

EC105.129 4
• Damage of junction avoided by limiting the reverse
current.

• Such a diode does not over heated.

• Safely enters into and leaves from break down.

• Diodes manufactured to operate in breakdown region

are called BREAKDOWN diodes.

EC105.129 5
ZENER BREAK DOWN

• Break down in Zener Diode.

• In heavily doped diode field intensity is more at

junction.

• Applied reverse voltage setup strong electric field.

• Thin depletion region in zener diode.

EC105.129 6
 ZENER BREAK DOWN MECHANISM

Depletion Region

P N

- - - - + + + + +
-
- - - + + + + +
+
- - -
+ +
- - - - + +

Fig 1. Zener Break down Mechanism animated

EC105.129 7
 ZENER BREAK DOWN MECHANISM

Depletion Region

P N

- - - - + + + + +
-
- - - + + + + +
+
- - -
+ +
- - - - + +

Fig 2. Zener Break down mechanism

EC105.129 8
ZENER BREAKDOWN

• Applied field enough to break covalent bonds in the

depletion region.

• Extremely large number of electrons and holes

results.

• Produces large reverse current.

• Known as Zener Current IZ.

EC105.129 9
ZENER BREAK DOWN

• This is known as “Zener Break down”.

• This effect is called “Ionization by an Electric field”.

EC105.129 10
AVALANCHE BREAK DOWN

• Break down in PN Diode.

• In lightly doped diode field intensity is not strong

to produce zener break down.

• Depletion region width is large in reverse bias.

EC105.129 11
AVALANCHE BREAKDOWN MECHANISM

Depletion Region

P N

- - - + + + +
-
- - - + + + + +
+
- - -
- + +
- - - + +

Fig 3. Avalanche break down Avalanche

Incident Minority mechanism animated of charge
carriers EC105.129 carriers 12
AVALANCHE BREAKDOWN MECHANISM

Depletion Region

P N

- - - + + + +
-
- - - + + + + +
+
- - -
- + +
- - - + +

Fig 4. Avalanche Break Avalanche

Incident Minority down mechanism. of charge
carriers EC105.129 carriers 13
AVALANCHE BREAK DOWN

• Velocity of minority carriers increases with reverse

bias.

• Minority carriers travels with great velocity and

collides with ions in depletion region.

EC105.129 14
AVALANCHE BREAK DOWN

• Many covalent bonds breaks and generates more

charge carriers.

• Generated charge carriers again collides with covalent

bonds and again generates the carriers

EC105.129 15
AVALANCHE BREAK DOWN

• Chain reaction established.

• Creates large current..

• This effect is known as “Ionization by

Collision”.

• Damages the junction permanently.

EC105.129 16
Differences between Zener and Avalanche
break downs.
1. Occurs in heavily doped 1. Occurs in lightly doped
diodes. diodes.

3. Ionization takes place by 3. Ionization takes place

electric field. by collisions.

5. Occurs even with less 5. Occurs at higher

than 5V. voltages.

7. After the breakdown 7. After breakdown voltage

voltage across the zener across the pn diode is
diode is constant. not constant.
EC105.129 17
QUIZ
1. The break down mechanism in zener diode is

a) avalanche.

b) zener.

c) Multiple.

d) none of the above.

EC105.129 18
QUIZ

2. Ionization of collision means

• Zener break down.

• Avalanche breakdown.

• Both the breakdowns.

• None.

EC105.129 19
QUIZ

3. Breakdown which does not damages the

junction is

• Avalanche breakdown.

• Zener breakdown.

EC105.129 20
QUIZ

4. Zener break down occurs in the diode

of

• Heavily doped.

• Lightly doped.

• Not doped.

EC105.129 21
SUMMARY

We have discussed :

• Zener breakdown.

• Avalanche breakdown.

EC105.129 22
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is meant by zener Break down and

explain.

3. Explain the operation of avalanche

breakdown.

5. Distinguish between zener and avalanche

breakdown.

EC105.129 23