Simple Method for Calculating the Tunneling Current of an Esaki Diode

Abstract

The exact solution of Esaki's equation for the tunneling current is extremely complicated. A method is presented allowing a simple solution. Under the assumption that the distances between the Fermi level and the band edges ${E}_{1}$ and ${E}_{2}$ on both sides of the junction do not exceed $2kT$, the Fermi function is approximated by a straight line. The resulting equation indicating the voltage dependence of the tunneling current is as follows: $I={A}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}V{({E}_{1}+{E}_{2}\ensuremath{-}qV)}^{2}$.

Identifiers

DOI

10.1103/physrev.127.419

Citations and references