1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Physics
  4. Avalanche breakdown in a p - n junction diode is due to

Question Error Report

Thank you for reporting, we will resolve it shortly

Back to Question

Q. Avalanche breakdown in a $ p $ - $ n $ junction diode is due to

AMUAMU 2010Semiconductor Electronics: Materials Devices and Simple Circuits

Solution:

At high reverse voltage, due to high electric field, the minority charge carriers, while crossing the junction acquire very high velocities. These by collision breaks down the covalent bonds generating more carriers. A chain reaction is established giving rise to high current. This mechanism is called avalanche breakdown