What is a Diode?

Diodes are used to protect circuits by limiting the voltage and to also transform AC into DC. Semiconductors like silicon and
germanium are used to make the most of the diodes. Even though they transmit current in a single direction, the way with which
they transmit differs. There are different kinds of diodes and each type has its own applications.

Diode Symbol

A standard diode symbol is represented as above. In the above diagram, we can see that there are two terminals that are known
as anode and cathode. The arrowhead is the anode that represents the direction of the conventional current flow in the forward
biased condition. The other end is the cathode.

Diode Construction
Diodes can be made of either of the two semiconductor materials, silicon and germanium. When the anode voltage is more
positive than the cathode voltage, the diode is said to be forward-biased, and it conducts readily with a relatively low-voltage
drop. Likewise, when the cathode voltage is more positive than the anode, the diode is said to be reverse-biased. The arrow in
the diode symbol represents the direction of conventional current flow when the diode conducts.
This article lets you understand in detail about various types of diodes.

Types of Diodes
1. Light Emitting Diode
2. Laser diode
3. Avalanche diode
4. Zener diode
5. Schottky diode
6. Photodiode
7. PN junction diode
 Different Diodes and their Notation
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
When an electric current between the electrodes passes through this diode, light is produced. In other words, light is generated
when a sufficient amount of forwarding current passes through it. In many diodes, this light generated is not visible as there are
frequency levels that do not allow visibility. LEDs are available in different colours. There are tricolour LEDs that can emit three
colours at a time. Light colour depends on the energy gap of the semiconductor used.
Laser Diode
It is a different type of diode as it produces coherent light. It is highly used in CD drives, DVDs and laser devices. These are
costly when compared to LEDs and are cheaper when compared to other laser generators. Limited life is the only drawback of
these diodes.

Avalanche Diode
This diode belongs to a reverse bias type and operates using the avalanche effect. When voltage drop is constant and is
independent of current, the breakdown of avalanche takes place. They exhibit high levels of sensitivity and hence are used for
photo detection.
Zener Diode
It is the most useful type of diode as it can provide a stable reference voltage. These are operated in reverse bias and break
down on the arrival of a certain voltage. If current passing through the resistor is limited, a stable voltage is generated. Zener
diodes are widely used in power supplies to provide a reference voltage.

Schottky Diode
It has a lower forward voltage than other silicon PN junction diodes. The drop will be seen where there is low current and at that
stage, voltage ranges between 0.15 and 0.4 volts. These are constructed differently in order to obtain that performance. Schottky
diodes are highly used in rectifier applications.
Photodiode
A photo-diode can identify even a small amount of current flow resulting from the light. These are very helpful in the detection of
the light. This is a reverse bias diode and used in solar cells and photometers. They are even used to generate electricity.
P-N Junction Diode
The P-N junction diode is also known as rectifier diodes. These diodes are used for the rectification process and are made up of
semiconductor material. The P-N junction diode includes two layers of semiconductors. One layer of the semiconductor material
is doped with P-type material and the other layer with N-type material. The combination of these both P and N-type layers form a
junction known as the P-N junction. Hence, the name P-N junction diode.
P-N junction diode allows the current to flow in the forward direction and blocks the flow of current in the reverse direction. 

Characteristics of Diode
The following are the characteristics of the diode:

 Forward-biased diode
 Reverse-biased diode
 Zero biased diode
Forward-biased Diode
There is a small drop of voltage across the diode when the diode is forward-biased and the current is conducting. For silicon
diodes, the forward voltage is 690mV and for germanium, 300mV is the forward voltage. The potential energy across the p-type
material is positive and across the n-type material, the potential energy is negative.

Reverse-biased Diode
A diode is said to be reverse-biased when the battery’s voltage is dropped completely. For silicon diodes, the reverse current is -
20μA and for germanium, -50μA is the reverse current.  The potential energy across the p-type material is negative and across
the n-type material, the potential energy is positive.

Zero-biased Diode
When the diode is zero-biased, the voltage potential across the diode is zero.
Breakdown diodes can be defined as two-terminal electrical components. Different diodes are available in the market fabricated
with semiconductor objects such as Silicon and Germanium. The overall objective of the diode is to allow the current to flow only
in one direction and block the current in the reverse direction.
In this session, let us know the difference between Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown.

Table of Contents:
  PN Junction Breakdown
 What Is Zener Breakdown?
 What Is Avalanche Breakdown?
 Zener Breakdown vs Avalanche Breakdown
 Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

PN Junction Breakdown
An electrical breakdown of any material such as the conductor, semiconductor, and insulator can occur due to two different
phenomena known as a) Zener Breakdown b) Avalanche Breakdown.

What Is Zener Breakdown?

When the diode is reverse biased, the kinetic energy of the electrons increases, and they move at a high velocity. The high-
velocity electrons collide with other atoms and give rise to free electrons. These free electrons, in turn, give rise to a high value of
reverse saturation current. This is known as Zener breakdown.
Zener Diode

What Is Avalanche Breakdown?

The avalanche breakdown occurs when a high reverse voltage is applied across the diode. As we increase the applied reverse
voltage, the electric field across the junction increases. This electric field exerts a force on the electrons at the junction and frees
them from covalent bonds. These free electrons start moving with high velocity across the junction and collide with the other
atoms, thus creating more free electrons. This results in a rapid increase in net current. Both these breakdowns occur in Zener
diodes.
 Volt-Ampere Characteristics of Si and Ge Zener Diode

Zener Breakdown vs Avalanche Breakdown

The main difference between Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown is their mechanism of occurrence. Zener breakdown
occurs because of the high electric field. The avalanche breakdown occurs because of the collision of free electrons with atoms.
Both these breakdowns can occur simultaneously. Let us look at the other differences between them in the below table.

Zener Breakdown Avalanche Breakdown

The process in which the electrons move across the The process of applying high voltage and increasing
barrier from the valence band of p-type material to the free electrons or electric current in
the conduction band of n-type material is known as semiconductors and insulating materials is called an
Zener breakdown. avalanche breakdown.

This is observed in Zener diodes having a Zener This is observed in Zener diode having a Zener
breakdown voltage Vz of 5 to 8 volts. breakdown voltage Vz greater than 8 volts.

The valence electrons are pulled into conduction due The valence electrons are pushed to conduction due
to the high electric field in the narrow depletion to the energy imparted by accelerated electrons,
region. which gain their velocity due to their collision with
other atoms.

The increase in temperature decreases the The increase in temperature increases the
breakdown voltage. breakdown voltage.

The VI characteristics of a Zener breakdown has a The VI characteristic curve of the avalanche
sharp curve. breakdown is not as sharp as the Zener breakdown.

It occurs in diodes that are highly doped. It occurs in diodes that are lightly doped.

The difference between avalanche breakdown and Zener breakdown is important as most of us get confused between the
two. To know more about other differences,