Assessment of the performance of zener references of the highest quality

Zener diodes are now playing an important part in the development of transfer voltage standards. The computer-controlled equipment that is described is capable of measuring these devices to 1 part in 10
⁷
at the 6-V level. A technique is described for characterizing the data obtained at various currents and temperatures in order to produce quantitative figures for the important parameters of zener diodes. The results and application of this method are discussed.