what is avalanche breakdown?

Answer 1

If you increase the voltage between two conducting plates , with some conductor like air between them, then at some stage an electron will be torn loose from the negative plate. It will be dragged towards the +ve plate at high speed and knock other electrons loose, which will in turn knock out other electrons from other atoms... and you'll get a spark, carrying a heavy current. Just like tossing a pebble on a snow slope and starting an avalanche.

Answer 2

Avalanche breakdown is a phenomenon that can occur in both insulating and semiconducting materials. It is a form of electric current multiplication that can allow very large currents to flow within materials which are otherwise good insulators. Avalanche breakdown can occur within solids, liquids, or gases when the voltage applied across the insulating material is great enough to accelerate free electrons to the point that, when they strike a atoms in the material, they can knock other electrons free. This phenomenon can be quite useful in semiconductor diodes such as the avalanche diode and avalanche photodiode, but in other situations, such as in MOSFET transistors, it can destroy the device. When avalanche breakdown occurs within a solid insulating material it is almost always destructive. When an avalanche-like effect occurs without connecting two electrodes, it is referred to as an electron avalanche. Although there are some superficial similarities to Zener breakdown, this is a very different effect.

Answer 3

Avalanche breakdown is a phenomenon that can occur in both insulating and semiconducting materials. It is a form of electric current multiplication that can allow very large currents to flow within materials which are otherwise good insulators. Avalanche breakdown can occur within solids, liquids, or gases when the voltage applied across the insulating material is great enough to accelerate free electrons to the point that, when they strike a atoms in the material, they can knock other electrons free. This phenomenon can be quite useful in semiconductor diodes such as the avalanche diode and avalanche photodiode, but in other situations, such as in MOSFET transistors, it can destroy the device. When avalanche breakdown occurs within a solid insulating material it is almost always destructive. When an avalanche-like effect occurs without connecting two electrodes, it is referred to as an electron avalanche. Although there are some superficial similarities to Zener breakdown, this is a very different effect.

Answer 4

All semi conductor junctions have a peak inverse voltage (PIV)that can safely be applied without damage. Some devices such as Zener diodes are made to operate in this breakdown region. During avalanche breakdown of a zener the voltage across it will be at a predetermined voltage. During the time before breakdown charges accumulate within the device until finally the proximity and the material within the device cannot keep them from combining.

Answer 5

I believe it has something to do with semiconductors. When a high enough reverse bias voltage is applied to a diode, the electrical field rises and causes electrons to be pulled out of their places and to be accelerated. The avalanche breakdown means that these high velocity electrons hit other electrons out of their bindings causing an avalanche effect (more and more electrons become free). At this point current (free electrons) runs through the diode.

Answer 6

What Is Avalanche

Answer 7

Problems of avalanchephotodetector