TUNNEL ELECTRON CURRENT INDUCTION IN N(-I-M STRUCTURES())

A novel effect of tunnel electron current induction (TECI) is theoreti cally considered in n(+)-I-M structures with a penetrable potential ba rrier (I-layer) resulting from heating the n(+)-layer electrons by an external electric field and tunnelling them into the n(+)-layer throug h the I-insulator. A tunnel electron current which is thus induced len ds to charging the structure and to a potential difference - the tunne l electromotive force (TEMF) - between the n(+)- and M-layers. TEMF is a practically significant consequence of the TECI effect. An equation for TEMF has been deduced using numerical calculations. Approximate a nalytical solutions of this equation and their application limits ale cited in electron temperature approximation as functions of the extern al field, lattice temperature, and structure parameters. Calculations of the TEMF build-up time are presented as functions of the external f ield. All expressions are calculated for lattice temperatures of 300 a nd 77 K. Experimental observation possibilities of TECI are also brief ly viewed.