zener diode

[miss photon]

the width of the depletion region is actually a measure of the barrier potential, isn't it? so zener diode should hav a wide depletion region due to its high barrier potential ( as it is heavily doped) . but quite the contrary is observed, the zener diode has a narrow depletion region. why is that?

[sphyics]

Zener diode is optimised to work in breakdown region, the zener diode is heavily doped, the depletion layer Becomes narrow (not wide) because of this electric field across the depltion layer is intense (E =v/distance) due to which the electrons are pulled out from their valance orbit.. this process known as ZENER EFFECT.