Avalanche breakdown introduction

Question

What do you mean by the term Avalanche breakdown? Describe in brief.

Answer 1

Avalanche breakdown takes place when the applied voltage is so big that the electrons which are pulled from their covalent bonds are accelerated to big velocities. Such electrons collide with the silicon atoms and knock off many electrons. Such electrons are then as well accelerated and consequently collide with the other atoms. Each collision generates more electrons that lead to more collisions and so on. The current in the semiconductor quickly raises and the material can fast be destroyed.