What Role Does Quantum Tunneling Play in Nanoscale Devices?
Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon where particles can pass through energy barriers that they classically shouldn't be able to. This is particularly important in nanoscale devices such as tunneling transistors and scanning tunneling microscopes (STM). In tunneling transistors, electrons tunnel through a thin barrier, allowing for the creation of highly sensitive and low-power electronic devices. STMs utilize tunneling to achieve atomic-scale imaging and manipulation of surfaces.
