Question

A Zener diode works on the principle of

• A. Tunneling of charge carriers across the junction
• B. Doping of charge carriers across the junction
• C. Diffusion of charge carriers across the junction
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Tunneling of charge carriers across the junction

Zener diode works under the breakdown region of the p-n junction. It operates in the breakdown region of a p-n diode when a high reverse voltage is applied across the diode and reverse voltage exceeding the breakdown voltage. This results in tunneling of electrons from valence to conduction band reading to a large number of free minority carriers that suddenly increase the reverse current.