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Semiconductors: What is meant by the term tunnel diode?
How does a tunnel diode differ from a normal diode?
A normal diode, also known as a p-n junction diode, permits current to flow through it in only one direction whereas a tunnel diode, in addition to forward bias operation, can also achieve reverse bias operation where it shows a negative resistance zone. Also, the current in a normal diode increases as the voltage increases, whereas in a tunnel diode, the current decreases with the increase in voltage.