TUNNELING TRANSISTOR: THE PRESENT QUANTUM PHENOMENON AND ITS ENHANCEMENT

Abstract

Have you ever wondered how your smartphone works? A key component is the tunneling transistor, based on the physical phenomenon of the same name. This phenomenon allows electrons to penetrate potential barriers, even if they are higher than the energy of the electrons. To achieve this in the transistor, a potential difference is applied to the transistor gate, causing the electrons to find a narrow path so they can jump from one point to another as if it were a tunnel. The conduction band, where the electrons are located, approaches the valence band, where the holes are. When an electron gets close enough to a hole, recombination occurs, generating a neutral atom and releasing energy, which can be used to generate electric current. This tunneling effect has various applications, such as in tunnel effect transistors, which operate at high speeds with low energy consumption. It is also used in tunnel diodes, which are capable of generating high-frequency oscillations. This phenomenon, derived from quantum mechanics, highlights how fundamental principles can impact everyday technology, showing that quantum physics is not foreign to our pragmatic world. In summary, the tunneling transistor, harnessing the fascinating quantum tunneling effect, emerges as a key technology in high-performance electronic devices, underscoring the intersection between theoretical physics and everyday technological innovation.