Quantum size effect and interlayer electron tunneling in metal-semiconductor superlattices

A new type of quantum size effect in metal-semiconductor superlattices is p redicted. Giant oscillations of the transverse tunnel conductivity arise if size quantization of the electron spectrum in the metal layers takes place . This effect is due to the fact that the probability of metal electron tun neling through a semiconductor layer depends sharply on the electron incide nce angle. The oscillations have been found to exist even in disordered sys tems, provided the electrons in metal layers undergo low-angle scattering o n imperfections. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-777X(99)006 02-7].