ZENER DIODE Meaning and
Definition
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A Zener diode is a two-terminal semiconductor device that exhibits a unique property called Zener breakdown when operated in reverse bias. It is specifically designed to have a precise breakdown voltage and acts as a voltage regulator in electronic circuits.
The Zener diode is named after the American physicist Clarence Zener, who discovered the Zener breakdown phenomenon in the early 1930s. It is made from a heavily doped p-n junction, where the p-side is highly doped with impurities that create an excess of holes, while the n-side is heavily doped with impurities that generate an excess of free electrons.
The key characteristic of a Zener diode is its ability to maintain a relatively constant voltage across its terminals even when the reverse voltage applied exceeds its breakdown voltage. When the reverse voltage surpasses the Zener breakdown voltage, the diode's depletion region collapses momentarily, leading to a sudden increase in the reverse current. This effectively stabilizes the voltage across the diode, preventing it from exceeding the breakdown voltage. As a result, Zener diodes are commonly utilized in voltage regulation circuits to provide a steady voltage output despite variations in input voltage or load fluctuations.
Zener diodes are often employed in applications such as voltage clamping, surge protection, voltage regulators, and voltage references. Their ability to provide a stable and accurate voltage reference make them essential components in countless electronic devices, including power supplies, telecommunication equipment, audio amplifiers, and digital circuits.
Etymology of ZENER DIODE
The word "zener" in "zener diode" is derived from the surname of Clarence Melvin Zener, an American physicist who first proposed the phenomenon of Zener breakdown in 1934.
The term "diode" comes from the Greek word "di" (meaning "two") and "hodos" (meaning "way" or "path"). In electronics, a diode is a two-terminal device that allows the flow of electric current in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction.
Thus, the name "zener diode" refers to a diode that takes advantage of the Zener breakdown effect, which occurs when the reverse voltage applied across the diode exceeds a certain threshold, allowing controlled current flow in the opposite direction.
