Tunnel junction
In
zero probability of passing through the barrier. However, according to quantum mechanics
, the electron has a non-zero wave amplitude in the barrier, and hence it has some probability of passing through the barrier. Tunnel junctions serve a variety of different purposes.
Multijunction photovoltaic cell
In
p-n junctions. They function as an ohmic electrical contact in the middle of a semiconductor
device.
Magnetic tunnel junction
In
magnetic tunnel junctions, electrons tunnel through a thin insulating barrier from one magnetic material to another.[1]
This can serve as a basis for a magnetic detector.
Superconducting tunnel junction
In
superconducting electrodes are separated by a non-superconducting barrier. Cooper pairs carry the supercurrent through the barrier by quantum tunneling, a phenomenon known as the Josephson effect. This setup can form the basis for extremely sensitive magnetometers, known as SQUIDs
, as well as many other devices.
Tunnel diode
In tunnel diodes, a diode allows the tunneling of electrons for certain voltages. This allows them to be used for generating high-frequency signals.
Scanning tunneling microscope
In
metal-insulator-metal
) can be viewed as a tunnel junction.
References
- ISSN 1369-7021.
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