silicon is used in (almost) every electronic device. silicon has four valence electrons. Molecules tend to want four valence electrons, so elements with three valence electrons (P-type material) want to steal one from other elements, and elements with five valence electrons (N-type material) want to give one away. P-type and N-type materials are mixed in electronic circuits to create transistors, diodes, etc. Silicon is used as an unbiased foundation for layering these N-type and P-type materials to create circuits.
When the design says 4.9v zener diode that is all I would put. The more complicated an alternative you try the more things that can go wrong. A silicon diode is not the same as a zener diode, and cannot be used to replace a zener, with reasonable expectation that the circuit will continue to operate as designed.
No. An ordinary diode, be it silicon or germanium, conducts in one direction only, whereas a zener diode conducts in both directions, but at different voltages. An ordinary diode is used to rectify, using its forward bias characteristics, while a zener diode is used to regulate, using its reverse bias characteristics.
It would be 0.7V, the same as any other silicon diode; except for one thing, most zener diodes are manufactured with a reversed diode in series with them. When the zener is operated in its normal zener breakdown mode this reversed diode conducts, letting the zener operate. When the zener is operated in its forward biased mode this reversed diode prevents conduction. Thus most zeners have no forward voltage.
It would be 0.7V, the same as any other silicon diode; except for one thing, most zener diodes are manufactured with a reversed diode in series with them. When the zener is operated in its normal zener breakdown mode this reversed diode conducts, letting the zener operate. When the zener is operated in its forward biased mode this reversed diode prevents conduction. Thus most zeners have no forward voltage.
SILICON same as any other diode but with different characteristics
zener resistance of a zener diode is the resistance of the zener diode but which is the resistance of a diode
A zener diode cannot be used as switch.
zener diode is a revers bias diode which used for voltage regulation.
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.
Yes **************************************** Yes they can but there are pitfalls. A normal diode will have a high reverse breakdown voltage. A zener has a relatively low breakdown voltage (its "zener"voltage). If a zener diode is used as a rectifier it must have a zener voltage at least twice the peak of the applied a.c.
Zener diode is heavily doped pn junction diode.
to limit the voltage or regulate the same.