breakdown voltage

Breakdown voltage is the potential difference that, when applied across an insulating material, is just enough to cause a disruptive discharge. In semiconductor devices, specifically at a p-n junction, this phenomenon is crucial. When a reverse bias is applied to a p-n junction, current remains low until a critical voltage is reached. This critical voltage is known as the breakdown voltage, and at this point, the current suddenly increases. This junction breakdown is often nondestructive if the power dissipation is controlled. The breakdown voltage can range from less than one volt to thousands of volts, depending on factors like impurity concentration.12