Question

define avalanche and zener breakdown

Answer 1

avalanche breakdown in general diode cause by avalanche Multiplication of electrons,and zener breakdown occurs due to increase in reverse voltage,depletion width gradually increases after some time breakdown occurs

Answer 2

An avalance is a rapid flow of snow down a sloping surface .Avalanche are typically trigged in a starting zone from a mechanical failure inthe snow pack when the forces of the snow exceed its strength but sometimes only with gradual widening.


zener breakdown-
it occurs in a reverse biased pn diode when the electric field enables tunneling of electrons from the valence to the conduction band of a semiconductor , leading to a large no.of free minority carriers which suddenly increases the reverse current. The I-V curve for a diode showing avalanche and zener breakdown. ....