Question

With reference to semiconductor devices, define a p-type semiconductor and a Zener diode.

Answer 1

When a trivalent impurity like aluminium, indium, boron, gallium, etc., is doped with pure germanium
(or silicon) , then the conductivity of the crystal increases due to its deficiency of electrons i.e., holes and such a crystal is said to be p-type semiconductor while the impurity atoms are called acceptors.
A Zener diode is a reverse biased heavily doped p - n junction diode, which is operated in the breakdown region, where the current is limited by both external resistance and power dissipation of the diode.