Resonant-tunneling diode

<p>A resonant-tunneling diode (RTD) is a <a href="/facts/Diode/JyaoyGnk">diode</a> with a resonant-tunneling structure in which electrons can tunnel through some <a href="/facts/Resonance_(particle_physics)/aBEXCbzT">resonant</a> states at certain energy levels. The <a href="/facts/Current%E2%80%93voltage_characteristic/wft425cq">current–voltage characteristic</a> often exhibits <a href="/facts/Negative_resistance/QgkR8esF">negative differential resistance</a> regions.
</p><p>All types of <a href="/facts/Tunneling_diode/BVtMxHzU">tunneling diodes</a> make use of <a href="/facts/Quantum_mechanical_tunneling/WU4NMrKx">quantum mechanical tunneling</a>.
Characteristic to the current–voltage relationship of a tunneling diode is the presence of one or more negative differential resistance regions, which enables many unique applications. Tunneling diodes can be very compact and are also capable of ultra-high-speed operation because the quantum tunneling effect through the very thin layers is a very fast process.  One area of active research is directed toward building <a href="/facts/Electronic_oscillator/6NaXsSzJ">oscillators</a> and switching devices that can operate at <a href="/facts/Terahertz_(unit)/6Wshj5qm">terahertz</a> frequencies.
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Resonant-tunneling diode open-in-new

Resonant-tunneling diode