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martin f
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What is the barrier field in fowler-nordheim tunneling?i'm having a hard time understanding it please help.
Fowler-Nordheim tunneling is a quantum mechanical process in which electrons can pass through an insulating barrier, such as a thin oxide layer, by tunneling through the barrier. This phenomenon is important in the understanding of electron transport in semiconductor devices.
Fowler-Nordheim tunneling occurs when there is a high electric field across an insulating barrier. The electric field causes the electrons to have enough energy to tunnel through the barrier, even though they do not have enough energy to overcome the barrier in a classical sense.
Fowler-Nordheim tunneling is important in the design and operation of electronic devices, particularly in the field of nanotechnology. It allows for the manipulation of electrons at a very small scale, making it useful for applications such as flash memory and field emission displays.
Fowler-Nordheim tunneling is different from other types of tunneling, such as Schottky tunneling, because it involves the movement of electrons through a potential barrier, rather than the movement of holes. Additionally, Fowler-Nordheim tunneling occurs at high electric fields, while other types of tunneling can occur at lower fields.
One of the main challenges in studying and utilizing Fowler-Nordheim tunneling is controlling and measuring the high electric fields required for this process to occur. Additionally, the properties of the insulating barrier, such as its thickness and composition, can greatly affect the tunneling current and must be carefully considered in device design.