What is zener diode and how it works?

A semiconductor diode blocks current in the opposite direction, but will fail prematurely if the reverse voltage applied across the terminals becomes too high. However, Zener diodes or "breakdown diodes" as they are sometimes called, are essentially the same as standard PN junction diodes, but specially designed to have a specified low reverse breakdown voltage taking advantage of any reverse voltage is applied. to her. The Zener diode works like a regular general purpose diode made of PN silicon junction and when it is forward biased. That is, anode to its cathode it behaves like a normal signal diode carry rated current.?However, unlike a conventional diode which blocks all current flowing through itself when reverse biased i.e. cathode becomes more positive than anode, as soon as reverse voltage reaches a predetermined value, Zener diode start to lead in the opposite direction. This is because when the reverse voltage applied across the Zener diode exceeds the rated voltage of the device, a process called Avalanche Breakdown occurs in the depletion layer of the semiconductor and a current begins to flow through the diode to limit it. this voltage rise. The current flowing through the Zener diodes increases suddenly to the maximum value of the circuit (usually limited by a series resistor) and when this reverse saturation is reached, this reverse saturation current remains fairly stable. over a wide range of reverse voltages. The voltage point at which the voltage across the zener diode becomes stable is known as the "zener voltage", (Vz) and for zener diodes this can range from less than one volt to several hundred volts.?The point at which the zener voltage triggers current through the diode can be controlled very precisely (within a tolerance of 1%) in the doping step of the diode's semiconductor construction giving the diode a specific zener breakdown voltage. possible, (Vz) for example, 4.3V or 7.5V. This Zener breakdown voltage on the IV curve is almost a vertical line.

Read More: https://www.prasunbarua.com/2022/06/what-is-zener-diode-and-how-it-works.html