0
Why does voltage remain constant in the reverse breakdown region in a zener diode?
Kamran945
This space is for answering "http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_voltage_remain_constant_in_the_reverse_breakdown_region_in_a_zener_diode" Why does voltage remain constant in the reverse breakdown region in a zener diode?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is zener break down voltage?
The point in the forward operating region of the characteristic curve where conduction starts to increase rapidly is called Knee voltage of a PN Junction Diode.The breakdown voltage of a diode is the minimum reverse voltage to make the diode conduct in reverse.(or) Breakdown voltage is a parameter of a diode that defines the largest reverse voltage that can be applied without causing an exponential increase in the current in the diode.-- Dinakar
What is break down region of zener diode?
Zener breakdown is the phenomena wherein the Zener diode experiences reverse breakdown at a much lower voltage than a normal diode, which may breakdown in excess of 100 volts, depending on the type. This is useful because the Zener will hold the same voltage after breakdown, regardless of the input voltage, making them excellent for voltage controlled switches and references.
What is the zener point?
A diode (some people incorrectly call them rectifiers) is a semiconductor device that allows a current to flow in one direction. A Zener diode allows a reverse to current to flow at a defined voltage. A common application for them is as a voltage regulator. Named for C M Zener , US Physicist. A zener diode is a diode and like all diodes it will conduct in both directions. If a reversed voltage is applied it will breakdown and conduct current. Most diodes when they breakdown the reversed voltage cannot be predictable. However a zener diode when they do breakdown in the reverse voltage mode that voltage can be made as predictable and remain +/- % of the breakdown voltage. Therefore this steady voltage can be used as a regulator for instance or a definite voltage drop if need be.
Why there is no current in reverse bias condition?
Current flows in a reverse biased diode because diodes are not ideal. They do have leakage current and a breakdown voltage in reverse, just as they have a breakdown current in forward and a non-linear and non-parallel forward voltage to current curve. It is also possible that you are looking at a zener diode. A zener diode is specifically design to conduct at a certain voltage in reverse.
How do you xxplain the zener shunt regulator?
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
In what region of their characteristic curve are zener diodes operated?
Zener diodes are normally operated in their reverse breakdown voltage curve.
What is zener break down voltage?
The point in the forward operating region of the characteristic curve where conduction starts to increase rapidly is called Knee voltage of a PN Junction Diode.The breakdown voltage of a diode is the minimum reverse voltage to make the diode conduct in reverse.(or) Breakdown voltage is a parameter of a diode that defines the largest reverse voltage that can be applied without causing an exponential increase in the current in the diode.-- Dinakar
What is break down region of zener diode?
Zener breakdown is the phenomena wherein the Zener diode experiences reverse breakdown at a much lower voltage than a normal diode, which may breakdown in excess of 100 volts, depending on the type. This is useful because the Zener will hold the same voltage after breakdown, regardless of the input voltage, making them excellent for voltage controlled switches and references.
What does it means when we say-diode is specially designed to operate under reverse bias in breakdown region?
You are talking about a special type of diode called a zener diode which is designed, using special junction doping, to allow controllable reverse bias operation at a reduced breakdown voltage with a much sharper knee point curve than its normal forward breakdown curve. This allows the diode to be used as a voltage regulator. Normally, a diode's reverse breakdown curve is such that, at reverse breakdown, it avalanches and, without current limits in place, will self destruct. The zener diode, on the other hand, will operate in reverse much the same as it does in forward, just at a different voltage, and with a much sharper current to voltage curve, making it highly suitable as a voltage regulator.
Explain how a current flows in a semiconducting diode in the two states of biasing?
Let me answer as I've learned. In this case, if the voltage source for forward bias is greater than the voltage source for reverse bias, current will flow in this semiconductive diode. And another way may occur. That is, in case reverse bias voltage is as large as breakdown voltage, reverse breakdown current ,which is because of the minority carrier in p region, will flow and this current can be large to damage the diode. If there is any mistake in my answer, please correct me and I'll thank you for that.
What is breakdown voltage of diode?
The critical value of the voltage, at which the breakdown of a P-N junction diode occurs is called the breakdown voltage.The breakdown voltage depends on the width of the depletion region, which, in turn, depends on the doping level. The junction offers almost zero resistance at the breakdown point.
Why zener diode can be used as a voltage regulater?
The zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator because its reverse bias (technically, reverse breakdown) current to voltage curve is particularly steep, resulting in very little voltage change even when current changes. Any diode, actually, exhibits this steep curve in the forward direction, but it is steeper in the reverse direction in zeners, making them more suitable for this application.This works because of the doping that is used in the PN junction, altering the tunneling behavior of electrons from the P side valence band to the N side conduction band. This allows controlled breakdown, without avalanche.The zener diode can be used as a voltage regulator because in the break-down region, the voltage of the zener diode becomes constant no matter how high the current goes.
What is breakdown region?
The breakdown region of a transistor is the region where the supply voltage, Vcc, becomes so large that the collector-emitter junction of the transistor breaks down and conducts, even though there is no base current.
What is the function of zener dioed?
The function of a zener diode is for it to act as a voltage regulator in the breakdown region.
What is the zener point?
A diode (some people incorrectly call them rectifiers) is a semiconductor device that allows a current to flow in one direction. A Zener diode allows a reverse to current to flow at a defined voltage. A common application for them is as a voltage regulator. Named for C M Zener , US Physicist. A zener diode is a diode and like all diodes it will conduct in both directions. If a reversed voltage is applied it will breakdown and conduct current. Most diodes when they breakdown the reversed voltage cannot be predictable. However a zener diode when they do breakdown in the reverse voltage mode that voltage can be made as predictable and remain +/- % of the breakdown voltage. Therefore this steady voltage can be used as a regulator for instance or a definite voltage drop if need be.
Why there is no current in reverse bias condition?
Current flows in a reverse biased diode because diodes are not ideal. They do have leakage current and a breakdown voltage in reverse, just as they have a breakdown current in forward and a non-linear and non-parallel forward voltage to current curve. It is also possible that you are looking at a zener diode. A zener diode is specifically design to conduct at a certain voltage in reverse.
What is the zener region?
The zener region describes the area on the performance curve (a graph of voltage across versus current through the junction) of a zener diode. The diode acts like a "regular" diode in the forward biased direction. When some 0.7 volts or so is reached, forward current begins to climb rapidly as voltage is increased (for silicon diodes.) But in the reverse direction recall that as the diode is reverse biased, a small amount of current will flow (because of minority carriers). This "trickle" of current will continue until the "zener voltage" is reached, and then the diode will begin to conduct heavily. On the graph, this is the zener region. Zener diodes can be made to breakdown at a specific voltage, and their ability to conduct reverse current can be increased by manufacturing a larger diode. That means there are a range of voltages and wattages of zener diodes available. Wikipedia has more information and that graph. Use the link provided to get there.
