Why is Direct Tunneling Important in Nanotechnology?
As we continue to downscale electronic components to the nanometer regime, direct tunneling becomes a critical factor in device performance and reliability. In integrated circuits, for instance, the insulating layers between the gate and the channel of transistors are often just a few atoms thick. When these layers are so thin, electrons can tunnel through the barrier, leading to leakage currents that can affect the overall power efficiency and functionality of the device.
