Description
A Zener diode is a specialised semiconductor component engineered to conduct current safely in the reverse-bias direction once a specific voltage threshold, known as the Zener voltage (\(V_{z}\)), is reached.
How It Works
- Forward Bias: Acts like a standard silicon diode, turning on with a forward voltage drop of about 0.3V to 0.7V.
- Reverse Bias (Normal Operation): Blocks current until the reverse voltage hits the rated Zener voltage (\(V_{z}\))
- Breakdown Mechanisms:
- Zener effect (tunneling): Dominant at lower voltages (below ~5.6V) where a heavily doped, ultra-thin depletion region allows electrons to quantum tunnel through.
- Avalanche breakdown: Dominant at higher voltages (above ~5.6V) where energetic carriers collide with lattice atoms to multiply free current carriers in a chain reaction.
Key Uses
- Voltage Regulation: Maintains a stable output voltage across a load despite fluctuations in the input power supply.
- Overvoltage/ESD Protection: Acts as a safety valve to clamp and absorb unexpected voltage spikes.
- Voltage References & Clipping: Provides a fixed reference voltage for circuits or clips signal peaks to prevent distortion.
Packing List:
