zenitdiodák

Zenitdiodák, also known as Zener diodes, are a special type of semiconductor diode designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region. Unlike regular diodes which are intended to block current flow in reverse, Zener diodes are manufactured to maintain a stable, predictable voltage across them once a certain reverse voltage, called the Zener voltage or breakdown voltage, is reached. This characteristic makes them extremely useful for voltage regulation.

The operation of a Zener diode relies on two breakdown mechanisms: Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown. Zener breakdown occurs at lower voltages (typically below 5.5V) and is due to quantum mechanical tunneling. Avalanche breakdown occurs at higher voltages and is caused by the acceleration of charge carriers to high energies, which then collide with atoms, creating more electron-hole pairs. Regardless of the mechanism, the result is a sharp increase in reverse current while the voltage across the diode remains relatively constant.

The primary application of Zener diodes is in voltage regulation circuits. By placing a Zener diode in parallel with a load and a series resistor, a constant voltage can be supplied to the load, even if the input voltage fluctuates or the load current changes. They are also used for voltage referencing, surge protection, and in simple waveform clipping circuits. Zener diodes are available in a wide range of Zener voltages, allowing for precise voltage regulation at various levels.