Coulomb Blockade & Single Electron Transistors Explained

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In summary, coulomb blockade refers to the phenomenon where the repulsive potential barrier created by one trapped electron prevents other electrons from being trapped in a small junction. This is relevant to Single Electron Transistors and can be further explained in Tinkham's "Introduction to superconductivity" chapter on small junctions.
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tianyi.tan
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Hello! Can someone please enlighten me about coulomb blockade & how its relevant to Single Electron Transistors? Thanks :))
 
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Try to find a copy of Tinkham's "Introduction to superconductivity", it is explained quite well in the chapter on small junctions.
 
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If you trap 1 electron in a dot between two leads ----o---- it will cause a repulsive potential barrier for another electron that could have been trapped there -to high, so it cannot be trapped -Its blocked by coulomb repulsion. To overcome this you lower the potential close to the dot with a gate electrode, and now the electron 2 could be trapped also. But the 3:d electron is blocked from the 2 electrons to be trapped, so you must lower the gate potential again, and so on.
 

1. What is Coulomb blockade?

Coulomb blockade is a phenomenon that occurs in nanoscale electronic devices, where the flow of electrons is inhibited due to the repulsive force between them. This effect is particularly significant in single electron transistors, where the movement of a single electron can have a large impact on the overall behavior of the device.

2. How do single electron transistors work?

Single electron transistors are made up of a small nanoscale island connected to two electrodes by tunnel junctions. The island is connected to a gate electrode, which controls the flow of electrons onto the island. When a single electron tunnels onto the island, it can create a Coulomb blockade, effectively turning the transistor "on" or "off". This allows for precise control of the flow of electrons through the device.

3. What are the applications of single electron transistors?

Single electron transistors have a wide range of potential applications, including as ultra-sensitive sensors, memory devices, and in quantum computing. They also have the potential to improve the efficiency and speed of traditional electronic devices.

4. What factors affect the performance of single electron transistors?

The performance of single electron transistors is affected by a number of factors, including the size and shape of the device, the quality of the tunnel junctions, and the materials used. Additionally, environmental factors such as temperature and electromagnetic interference can also impact the performance of these devices.

5. What are the current challenges in the development of single electron transistors?

One of the major challenges in the development of single electron transistors is maintaining stability and reproducibility in their operation. The delicate nature of these devices makes them susceptible to fluctuations and noise, which can affect their performance. Additionally, scaling these devices down to even smaller sizes poses significant challenges in terms of fabrication and control.

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