Question

The avalanche breakdown in p-n junction is due to

• A. shift of Fermi level.
• B. cumulative effect of conduction band electron.
• C. widening of forbidden gap.
• D. high impurity concentration.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

cumulative effect of conduction band electron.

The avalanche breakdown in p-n junction is due to cumulative effect of conduction band electron. In reverse bias, due to applied electric field, electrons acquire enough energy to free more electron bound to the atom. The abundant number of electron-hole pairs are created for conduction, this is cumulative effect.