6. Glossary

avalanche; avalanche

Uncontrolled multiplication of carriers under a strong electric field, giving rise to a current that increases exponentially with the voltage already applied. The heat generated by the strong heat release can cause the destruction of the component.

diode; diode or rectifier

Electronic dipole that opens and closes spontaneously according to the voltage applied across its terminals.

doping; doping

Impurity insertion process that renders a semiconductor locally conductive by enrichment (n-type doping) or depletion of free electrons (p-type doping with production of electron vacancies and hence hole enrichment).

e ^- and e ⁺

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