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4
AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Reverse Breakdown: Zener Effect
In order to create such high fields with reasonable
voltages, a narrow depletion region is required, which
implies high doping levels.
This type of breakdown is called the Zener Effect.
It appears for reverse bias voltages on the order of 3-8 V
It has a negative temperature coefficient for the breakdown
voltage. (i.e. as the temperature increases the breakdown
voltage decreases)
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Reverse Breakdown: Avalanche Effect
It takes place when a reverse bias voltage increases across
a junction with moderate or low doping levels (<1015cm-3).
Because of small leakage current, each carrier entering the
depletion region experiences a very high electric field and
hence a large acceleration, gaining enough energy to break
the electrons from their covalent bonds.
This phenomenon called “impact ionization,” can lead to
avalanche.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Reverse Breakdown
Avalanche Effect has a positive temperature coefficient for
the breakdown voltage. (i.e. as the temperature increases
the breakdown voltage increases as well).
The Zener and avalanche breakdown effects do not damage
the diodes if the resulting current remains below a certain
limit given by the doping levels and the geometry of the
junction.
Both the breakdown voltage and the maximum allowable
reverse current are specified by diode manufacturers.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Zener Diode
A Zener is a diode operated in reverse bias at the Zener
voltage (VZ).
The voltage that causes a diode to enter the Zener region of
operation is called the Zener voltage.
Zener diodes are available having Zener potentials of 1.8 V
to 200 V with power ratings from 1 4 W to 50 W.
Zener Diodes are used in the design of voltage regulators.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Tunnel Diode
It is a high-conductivity two-terminal P-N junction diode
having doping density about 1000 times higher as
compared to an ordinary junction diode.
This doping level produces three unusual effects:
reduces the width of the depletion layer to an
extremely small value (about 0.00001 mm).
reduces the reverse breakdown voltage to a very small
value (approaching zero). i.e. the diode appears to be
broken down for any reverse voltage.
produces a negative resistance section on the V/I
characteristic of the diode.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Tunnel Diode
Due to its extremely thin depletion layer, electrons are able
to tunnel through the potential barrier at relatively low
forward bias voltage (less than 0.05 V), hence its name.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Tunnel Diode
Tunnel diodes can be used as high frequency oscillators as
the transition between the high electrical conductivity is very
rapid. They can be used to create oscillation as high as 5Gz.
Normal diode transistors do not perform well in microwave
operation. So, for microwave generators and amplifiers
tunnel diode are preferred.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Varactor Diode
A Varactor diode is a P-N junction diode that changes its
capacitance as the bias applied to the diode is varied.
It is used in the reversed biased condition.
Its junction capacitance decreases with an increase in the
depletion region width caused due to an increase in the
reverse bias voltage (VR).
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Varactor Diode
Varactor diodes are used in the design of Voltage Controlled
Oscillator.
These diodes can be used as frequency modulators and RF
phase shifters.
These diodes can be used as frequency multipliers in
microwave receiver.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Schottky Diode
It is also called Schottky barrier diode or hot-carrier diode.
It is a metal-semiconductor junction diode with no depletion
layer.
It is a unipolar device because it has electrons as majority
carriers on both sides of the junction.
Since no holes are available in metal, there is no depletion
layer to worry about. Hence, Schottky diode can switch OFF
faster than an ordinary PN junction diode.
It is very common in computers because of their ability to be
switched on and off so quickly.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Shockley Diode
It is a two-terminal four-layer diode, unlike other diodes
which are normally made with two layers.
It is generally used to control the average power delivered to
a load.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
As the name indicates, it is a forward-biased P-N junction
which emits visible light when energized.
LEDs are designed with a very large bandgap so movement
of carriers across their depletion region emits photons of light
energy.
Lower bandgap LEDs emit infrared radiation, while LEDs with
higher bandgap energy emit visible light.
Have many applications in everyday life.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Other Diodes
Photodiode (Solar Cells)
PIN Diode
Gunn Diode
IMPATT Diode
Step Recovery Diode
…
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
What to Do This Week?
Reading Assignment
Practical Diode Circuits
Rectifiers,
Clippers,
Clampers,
Zener Regulators.
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AAIT, School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering