Semi-conductor Devices and Electronics
6.0 Breakdown voltage
6.0 Breakdown voltage
A very small current flows through $p-n$ junction, when it is reverse biased. The flow of the current is due to the movement of minority charge carriers.
The reverse current is almost independent of the applied voltage.
However, if the reverse bias voltage is continuously increased, for a certain reverse voltage, the current through the $p-n$ junction will increase abruptly.
The reverse current is almost independent of the applied voltage.
However, if the reverse bias voltage is continuously increased, for a certain reverse voltage, the current through the $p-n$ junction will increase abruptly.
This reverse bias voltage is thus known as breakdown voltage.
There are two different causes of the breakdown.
1. Zener breakdown
2. Avalanche breakdown
