[sdiy] "zener" noise

[raywilson at comcast.net]

It can definitely be done. Its just that zeners seem to be a bit more finicky than reversed biased transistors about making a lot of noise. Also I have read that the zener effect is actually different from the avalanche effect. The reversed biased transistor gives an avalanche effect.

Anyone want to chime in on the difference.

Ray

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> I'm contemplating a circuit that uses a reverse-biased base-emitter junction 
> as a noise source. How would these compare with just using a zener diode of 
> a similar voltage range (around 7 or 8 volts)? 
> 
> Can the same sort of thing be done with a germanium device rather than 
> silicon? 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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