ZENER BREAKDOWN has caused me a breakdown

  • Thread starter sudar_dhoni
  • Start date
In summary: In a Zener diode, the voltage across the diode creates a voltage "zener" that is lower than the voltage across the load. This lower voltage causes a discharge of electrons from the diode. This discharge destroys the barrier between the conduction and valence bands, allowing electrons to flow freely from the conduction band to the valence band. This free flow of electrons eventually causes a voltage rise in the zener diode, which brings the load back into compliance with the voltage across the diode.
  • #1
sudar_dhoni
90
0
could any1 please explain avalance effect
i can understand that the electrons minority carriers are accelerated by high voltage and collide with valence electrons break free them and what happens after that
do they all go back to the positive terminal please explain after the production of avalanche of electrons
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The newly liberated electrons, provided they have enough energy, do the same to other stationary electrons.

Hence the term avalanche.
 
  • #3
sokrates said:
The newly liberated electrons, provided they have enough energy, do the same to other stationary electrons.

Hence the term avalanche.

after that what will happen that's what my question
 
  • #4
you'll observe high amounts of current at the external circuit.
 
  • #5
sokrates said:
you'll observe high amounts of current at the external circuit.

ok high amount of current will flow from the n type to the + terminal
but then who will fill the holes caused now in the n type due to collision by the minority carriers on the valence band electrons of n type
those places will be vacant and there will be holes in n type what will happen next?
 
  • #6
Unsure from your wording exactly what's bothering you, you seem to be questioning both the avalanche effect itself and then what happens after that when the Zener diode is switched on...but free electrons drift in a circuit with a zener diode just like any another other circuit, filling holes .

Try: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_current for a general discussion

Also try here, it seems applicable to your concerns:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode
 
  • #7
Naty1 said:
Unsure from your wording exactly what's bothering you, you seem to be questioning both the avalanche effect itself and then what happens after that when the Zener diode is switched on...but free electrons drift in a circuit with a zener diode just like any another other circuit, filling holes .

Try: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_current for a general discussion

Also try here, it seems applicable to your concerns:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode

ok i 'll come straight to the point now
please explain the flow of electrons through the entire circuit till it completes one cycle in
1) avalanche breakdown
2) zener breakdown
 
  • #8
I don't know where you are going with this.

There are far too many electrons around, to fill those "vacancies" in extremely fast timescales.

Is there any experimental or theoretical motivation behind all this?

Or are you just feeding your curiosity?

There are effects like "source starvation" observed in small devices where the source cannot supply enough electrons to the circuit, and all that is seen by a decrease in current.

But such a thing will NEVER happen in a Avalanche breakdown mechanism, because you are NOT budging the CORE electrons at ALL ! Ripping a few outer shell electrons and seeing a large current is all you see. Before you can rip the core electrons, you'd need much greater voltages and by that time you'd have burned up your whole circuit anyway...
 
  • #9
sokrates said:
I don't know where you are going with this.

There are far too many electrons around, to fill those "vacancies" in extremely fast timescales.

Is there any experimental or theoretical motivation behind all this?

Or are you just feeding your curiosity?

There are effects like "source starvation" observed in small devices where the source cannot supply enough electrons to the circuit, and all that is seen by a decrease in current.

But such a thing will NEVER happen in a Avalanche breakdown mechanism, because you are NOT budging the CORE electrons at ALL ! Ripping a few outer shell electrons and seeing a large current is all you see. Before you can rip the core electrons, you'd need much greater voltages and by that time you'd have burned up your whole circuit anyway...

ok then explain zener diode and zener breakdown
how there it does not happen what happens in avalanche breakdown
in both the same will happen
but in zener diode what special will happen which does not happen in avalanche breakdown
 

What is ZENER BREAKDOWN?

ZENER BREAKDOWN is a phenomenon that occurs when a reverse-biased diode experiences a sudden increase in current, leading to a breakdown of the diode. It is named after physicist Clarence Melvin Zener who first described the process in 1934.

How does ZENER BREAKDOWN occur?

ZENER BREAKDOWN occurs when the electric field across a reverse-biased diode becomes strong enough to cause the electrons in the valence band to gain enough energy to break free from their covalent bonds. This results in a sudden increase in current flow through the diode.

What factors can contribute to ZENER BREAKDOWN?

There are several factors that can contribute to ZENER BREAKDOWN, including the doping concentration of the diode, the thickness of the depletion region, and the temperature. Higher doping concentrations and thinner depletion regions can increase the likelihood of ZENER BREAKDOWN, while lower temperatures can decrease the probability.

What are the potential consequences of ZENER BREAKDOWN?

ZENER BREAKDOWN can have a variety of consequences depending on the application. In some cases, it can lead to permanent damage of the diode or other components in the circuit. It can also cause unexpected malfunctions or failures in electronic devices.

How can ZENER BREAKDOWN be prevented?

There are several ways to prevent ZENER BREAKDOWN, including choosing diodes with appropriate doping concentrations and thicknesses for the desired application, implementing proper heat dissipation measures, and avoiding excessive reverse voltages. Proper circuit design and regular maintenance can also help prevent ZENER BREAKDOWN.

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
855
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Electromagnetism
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
748
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
4
Views
4K
Back
Top