An analytical approach to quantum mechanical tunneling time in electronic devices

Starting from the analytical solution to the Time-Independent Schrodinger Equation, and exploiting the analogy between the transmission line equations and the time-independent Schrodinger wave equation, an analytical expression for the Average Particle Traversal (APT) time, {dollar}\tau\sb{\rm APT},{dollar} through a rectangular potential barrier region, under no bias, is derived, in terms of the barrier width, potential, and the incident energy of the electron. This approach is extended to derive an analytical expression for the APT time through a resonant tunneling structure, two symmetrical rectangular potential barriers sandwiching a potential well, under no bias. The results of the single potential barrier traversal time are compared with that of other approaches. The APT time is inversely proportional to the transmission coefficient, and satisfies physically intuitive energy limits. For the resonant tunneling structure, the APT time is minimum at resonant energies, and the {dollar}\tau\sb{\rm APT}{dollar} is inversely proportional to the transmission coefficient. The maximum frequency of oscillation is estimated and compared for some of the experimentally studied resonant tunneling structures based on the APT time. The agreement is excellent.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

1991

Author dc:creator

• Thanikasalam, Prabhaharan

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/222

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-1221