Zener Diode

Zener Diode
Zener Diode
A normal P-N junction diode is usually fabricated by adjusting the P-type and
N-type semiconductors on a single semiconductor crystal. The
characteristics of a junction diode demonstrate that it is designed largely for
operating in the forward direction. Applying a large amount of forward bias
causes greater forward current with a small value of forward voltage.
However, reverse biasing the diode do not cause conduction of current till
high values of reverse voltage are reached. If the reverse voltage is large
enough, breakdown occurs and a reverse current starts to flow. Ordinary
Junction diodes are generally damaged when this breakdown occurs. The
flow of current in zener diodes is controlled by the minority charge carriers
under the reverse bias condition, so they can also be referred to as
breakdown diodes.
Zener Diode
During specific conditions of fabrication, a special type of diode is formed
that will not be ruined when the breakdown voltage is increased, given that
the current does not exceed a defined limit to prevent the case of
overheating. This type of devices is referred to as zener diodes. Zener diodes
allow current to flow in the forward direction in the similar manner as an
ideal diode, and also it permits current to flow in the reverse direction when
the voltage is above a certain value known as the breakdown voltage. This
voltage can also be referred as zener knee voltage or zener voltage.
Zener Diode I-V Characteristics Curve
In the forward bias condition, the zener
diode behaves like an ideal diode within
specified current and power limits, but it
differs in reverse bias condition where the
zener diode has very steep avalanche
characteristic at the breakdown voltage in
reverse bias condition. Zener operates
mainly in the reverse bias mode by
connecting anode to the negative terminal
of the power supply. Zener diodes are
categorised and rated by the voltage at
which they will turn on or start to conduct
the reverse bias current.
Zener Diode I-V Characteristics Curve
Generally these zener diodes are used to
regulate the voltage. In reverse bias
condition after the break down zener
diode provides a constant output voltage
even if we increase the input voltage.
There are specifically two separate
mechanisms that might cause a
breakdown in a zener diode:
Avalanche Breakdown and Zener

Breakdown
Avalanche Breakdown
It is predominant above approximately 5.5 volts. This mechanism is also referred to as impact ionisation or
avalanche multiplication. For reverse conduction it is necessary to visualise the phenomenon of avalanche
breakdown. This process begins when a large negative bias is applied to the PN junction, sufficient energy is
imparted to thermally generated minority charge carriers in the semiconductors.
As a result the free carriers acquire required kinetic energy to break the covalent bonds and create an electric
field through collisions with crystal particles. The charge carriers created in collision contribute to the reverse
current, well beyond the normal reverse saturation current and may also possess enough energy to
participate through collisions, creating an additional electric field and the avalanche effect by impact
ionization, once a sufficiently high reverse bias is provided this process of conduction takes place very much
like an avalanche: a single electron can ionise several others.
Zener Breakdown
It is predominant below approximately 5.5 volts. This mechanism is also referred to as a high field emission
mechanism. The phenomenon of zener breakdown is related to the concept of avalanche breakdown. Zener
breakdown is achieved by heavily doped regions in the neighbourhood of ohmic contact. It is the second
method of disturbing the covalent bonds of the crystal atoms and increasing the reverse bias zener diode
current, to be sustained at a much lower specific voltage than normal diode. The reverse bias voltage known
as zener voltage, where this mechanism occurs is determined by the diode doping concentration and it
occurs when the depletion layer field width is sufficiently enough to disrupting the covalent bonds and cause
number of free charge carriers due to electric field generation to swell.
Zener Diode as Voltage Regulator
I-V characteristics of zener diode make it suitable for application
such as a voltage regulator. A voltage stabilizer is a combination of
elements that are designed to ensure the output voltage of a supply
fairly remains constant. Excess voltage protection is done by using
zener diodes because there will be reverse current due to minority
charge carriers starts flowing through the diode after the reverse
bias voltage exceeds a certain value.
Keeping the zener diode in parallel with a variable load resistance

RL, ensures a constant output voltage even though the load current
and the supply voltage varies. In practical circuits the simplest form
of current source is a resistor. The key in using the zener diode as
voltage regulator is that as long as the zener diode is reverse biased,
the flow of current greater than a few micro amperes must be
accompanied by a voltage greater than the Zener voltage.
This type of arrangement of the circuit provides safety for
equipment connected to terminals. This arrangement of regulator
circuit is referred to as a shunt regulator in which the regulating
element is placed in parallel with the load. The input voltage to
the system is a few volts and as long as it is more than the desired
output voltage, a stable voltage will be produced across the zener
diode.
As the input voltage increases, current through the zener diode

increases, but the drop in voltage remains constant which is the
necessary feature required for zener diodes. Therefore, reverse
current in the circuit has increased, voltage drop across the
resistor increases by an amount equal to the difference between
the applied input voltage and the zener knee voltage of the zener
diode.
The output voltage of regulator system is fixed as the zener knee
voltage of the zener diode and can be used in power devices
requiring a fixed voltage of firm value. The zener diode will
continue in regulating the voltage till the zener diode current falls
below the minimum Iz min value in the reverse breakdown
region.
The source resistance Rs is connected in series with zener diode

to limit the flow of current through the diode with voltage source
connected across the combination. The cathode terminal of zener
diode is connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source
so that the zener diode is biased in reverse condition and will be
operating in breakdown region.
When the load is not connected across the zener diode, no load current will be conducted and all the
current due to the circuit will pass through the zener diode dissipating maximum amount of power that
causes overheating of the diode and damages permanently.
Selecting the appropriate values of series resistance Rs is also important because it also causes greater
diode current, so that maximum power dissipation of the diode should not be exceeded under no load or
at high impedance condition.
Whenever a load is connected in parallel with zener diode, voltage across the load is same as the zener
diode voltage. However the source voltage must be greater than the zener voltage and the upper limit of
zener current depends on the power rating of the zener diode; otherwise the zener voltage will simply
follow the applied input voltage.

Zener Diode

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Zener Diode

Avalanche Breakdown and Zener

Keeping the zener diode in parallel with a variable load resistance

As the input voltage increases, current through the zener diode

The source resistance Rs is connected in series with zener diode

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