How do electronics in tranistors tunnel if decohered

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the tunneling behavior of electrons in bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and the implications of decoherence on this process. Participants explore the relationship between quantum coherence and tunneling, questioning how tunneling can occur if electrons are decohered.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification, Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that tunneling in BJTs requires electrons to tunnel between the collector and base, questioning how this occurs if the electrons are not coherent.
  • Another participant challenges the assumption that coherence is necessary for tunneling, suggesting that tunneling does not rely on interference effects.
  • A participant reiterates the concern about tunneling in the context of decoherence, emphasizing the perceived loss of quantum properties.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of removing the electron's superposition of possible locations and whether this affects the probability of tunneling.
  • Another participant counters that loss of coherence does not eliminate the possibility of tunneling, suggesting a distinction between coherence and quantum properties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of coherence for tunneling, with no consensus reached on the implications of decoherence for electron tunneling in BJTs.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of quantum properties and coherence, indicating that the discussion involves nuanced interpretations of these concepts without resolving the underlying assumptions.

jaydnul
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A BJT requires the electrons to tunnel between collector and base to conduct main channel current. But since these electrons are not coherent, how are they tunneling if their quantum properties are gone?
 
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Why do you think they need to be coherent with each other? Tunnelling is not a feature of intererfence.
 
jaydnul said:
since these electrons are not coherent, how are they tunneling if their quantum properties are gone?

Loss of coherence does not mean loss of "quantum properties".
 
But if the electron's superposition of possible locations is removed, doesn't that remove the probability of it tunneling to the other side?
 
jaydnul said:
if the electron's superposition of possible locations is removed

Loss of coherence doesn't do that.
 

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