The main reason for produce reverse current in a diode is "MINORITY CARRIERS". For reverse bias diode i.e negative terminal connected to p side and positive to n side the electrons in p side(minority charge carriers) attracted towards the positive polarity i.e towards positive terminal. Hence the current (reverse saturation) flows.Holes also contributed the current by attracting towards negative side.
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When a diode is operated as reverse bias the current flow is almost completely blocked. A small amount of current is still able to travel in reverse through the diode and this is referred to as the reverse current saturation.
The leakage current of a (zener) diode is the current that leaks when a diode is connected in reverse biased.
diode current flows only when the diode is forward biased because in reverse bias the barrier potential increases. Diode can conduct in reverse bias if applied votage is high enough to overcome the reverse bias barrier potential but it can be destructive.
because semiconductor diodes are not perfect insulators when reverse biased. if you want a diode that is a perfect insulator when reverse biased, use a vacuum tube diode.
A: They are both diodes. The difference lies in the application. A rectifier is used to rectify AC current into pulsating current. The zener diode is used to regulate a voltage source to the zener voltage when connected in the reverse direction. ************************************************************** If you look at the characteristic curves of a rectifier diode and a zener diode, you will see that they are similar, but the reverse curve of the zener has a much sharper bend at what is called the "knee". It is at this point on the zener's curve at which it operates.