An avalanche diode is a diode (usually made from silicon).
Internally made[]
It can be made from another semiconductor that is designed to go through Avalanche breakdown at a specified reverse bias voltage and conduct as a type of voltage reference.
Zener diode-compared[]
The Zener diode exhibits an apparently similar effect, but its operation is caused by a different mechanism called Zener breakdown. Both effects are actually present in any such diode, but one usually dominates the other.
Voltage[]
Zener diodes are typically restricted to a few tens of volts maximum, but silicon avalanche diodes are available with breakdown voltages of over 4000 V.
Comparison[]
The Zener diode exhibits an apparently similar effect, but its operation is caused by a different mechanism, called Zener breakdown. Both effects are actually present in any such diode, but one usually dominates the other. Zener diodes are typically restricted to a few tens of volts maximum, but silicon avalanche diodes are available with breakdown voltages of over 4000 V.
Uses[]
Protection[]
A common application is protecting electronic circuits against damaging high voltages.
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