Zener effect
Quick Summary
The Zener effect, also known as the Zener breakdown, is a phenomenon in physics where a sudden increase in electrical current occurs in a semiconductor when a strong electric field is applied. This effect is responsible for the breakdown in insulators and semiconductors.1
A Zener diode is a type of semiconductor device designed with a precisely controlled impurity distribution to achieve a specific breakdown voltage. It operates in the reverse direction and is used as a constant voltage source, a reference voltage in power supplies, and for protection against voltage and current surges. The Zener effect allows for precise voltage control in electrical circuits.21
It is important to distinguish the Zener effect from the Zeeman effect, which is the splitting of spectral lines when a light source is placed in a magnetic field.34
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