Zener diode is heavily doped pn junction diode.
The difference between the pn-junction diode and the zener diode is that the pn-junction diode is used for rectification while the zener diode is used for rectification and stabilization. Also, the zener diode can function in the breakdown region while the pn-juntion diode can not function in that regime.
what is the difference between reverse characteristics of zener diode and a practical diode ?
Zener diodes and ordinary junction diodes are similar, except that zener diodes have additional doping to bring their reverse breakdown voltage into a more usable value, and to allow them to not destructively avalanche when they do conduct in the reverse direction.
ZENER DIODE IS MADE TO REVERSE BREAK OVER AT A CERTAIN VOLTAGE the break over knee is not exactly sharp especially in low voltage zeners. and p-n means positive and negative junction
zener diode
zener resistance of a zener diode is the resistance of the zener diode but which is the resistance of a diode
A: They are both diodes. The difference lies in the application. A rectifier is used to rectify AC current into pulsating current. The zener diode is used to regulate a voltage source to the zener voltage when connected in the reverse direction. ************************************************************** If you look at the characteristic curves of a rectifier diode and a zener diode, you will see that they are similar, but the reverse curve of the zener has a much sharper bend at what is called the "knee". It is at this point on the zener's curve at which it operates.
zener diode is a special type of pn junction diode that work in breakdown region . There are two types of brekdowns in zener i.e avlanche breakdown and zener breakdown depending on the doping concentration. A zener diode in an on state can be considered as a voltage source ,equal to its zener voltage n hence act as an voltage regulator
Zener diodes differ from normal p-n junction diodes in that they have a reduced reverse breakdown voltage and, in fact, we normally operate zener diodes in reverse bias to take advantage of the relatively stable voltage regulation it provides.
pn junction diode conducts current in one directions where as the zener diode conducts in both the directions. large current flow damage the PN junction diode but zener diode conducts eventhough there is a large current........
zener diode :zener diode operates under reverse bias voltageideal diode :ideal diode operates under forward bias voltage