A p-n junction diode is a basic semiconductor device that controls the flow of electric current in a circuit. It has a positive (p) side and a negative (n) side created by adding impurities to each side of a silicon semiconductor. The symbol for a p-n junction diode is a triangle pointing to a line.

Is Zener diode a pn junction diode?

A Zener diode is a silicon semiconductor device that permits current to flow in either a forward or reverse direction. The diode consists of a special, heavily doped p-n junction, designed to conduct in the reverse direction when a certain specified voltage is reached.

Why pn junction is called diode?

A diode is called a diode because it has two distinct electrodes (i.e. terminals), called the anode and the cathode. A diode is electrically asymmetric because current can flow freely from the anode to the cathode, but not in the other direction.