View source for Difference Between Zener And Avalanche

Diodes are two terminal electric components with infinite conductivity in one direction and infinite resistance in other direction .is a type of electrical breakdown in a reverse biased p-n diode in which the electric field enables tunneling of electrons from the valence to the conduction band of a semiconductor .


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                                                 Zener Breakdown  | Avalanche Breakdown
In the Zener effect  or Zener breakdown , the electric field enables tunneling of electrons from the valence to the conduction band of a semiconductor  in a reverse biased p-n diode  .       Both sides of PN junction are heavily doped in zener breakdown         |The avalanche breakdown occurs when carriers in the transition region are accelerated by the electric field to energies sufficient to create mobile or free electron-hole pairs via collisions with bound electrons.  Both sides of PN junction are lightly doped in avalanche breakdown .
 Zener current is independent of applied voltage .   |Charge carriers acquire energy from the applied potential .
 A strong electric field is produced .  |Electric field produced is weak  in nature .
 Large number of holes and electrons are produced   .  | Electron hole pairs are generated .
															   
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