Engineering the current–voltage characteristics of metal–insulator–metal diodes using double-insulator tunnel barriers

Grover, Sachit; Moddel, Garret

doi:10.1016/j.sse.2011.09.004

Cited by 135 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…If the thickness of the lower electron affinity insulator is increased relative to the other insulator then the Quantum Well will be wide enough to form resonant energy levels 199,200 . These quantised resonant tunneling energy levels have electron transmission probabilities higher than that for adjacent energy levels.…”

Section: Metal-insulator-insulator-metal Diodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The rectenna device: From theory to practice (a review)

Donchev

Pang

Gammon

et al. 2014

MRS Energy & Sustainability

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The Rectenna (RECTifying antENNA), which was first demonstrated by William C. Brown in 1964 as a receiver for microwave power transmission, is now increasingly researched as a means of harvesting solar radiation. Tapping into the growing photovoltaic market, the attraction of the rectenna concept is the potential for devices that, in theory, are not limited in efficiency by the Shockley-Queisser limit. In this review, the history and operation of this 40-year old device concept is explored in the context of power transmission and the ever increasing interest in its potential applications at THz frequencies, through the infra-red and visible spectra. Recent modelling approaches that have predicted controversially high efficiency values at these frequencies are critically examined. It is proposed that to unlock any of the promised potential in the solar rectenna concept, there is a need for each constituent part to be improved beyond the current best performance, with the existing nanometer scale antennas, the rectification and the impedance matching solutions all falling short of the necessary efficiencies at THz frequencies. Advances in the fabrication, characterisation and understanding of the antenna and the rectifier are reviewed, and common solar rectenna design approaches are summarised. Finally, the socio-economic impact of success in this field is discussed and future work is proposed.

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Section: Metal-insulator-insulator-metal Diodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The rectenna device: From theory to practice (a review)

Donchev

Pang

Gammon

et al. 2014

MRS Energy & Sustainability

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“…Another added value for this method is its adaptability to simulate multi-insulator diodes as shown by Hashem et al [56]. Moreover, the algorithm simulation output is in close agreement with the more computer-intensive algorithms such as the quantum transmitting boundary method (QTBM) [47] and the non-equilibrium Green function method (NEGF) [56], which will be encountered later on.…”

Section: Transfer Matrix Methodmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…The algorithm is inherently simple as it uses the widespread TMM concept and applies it to a simplified version of the Schrödinger equation. Even so, its performance is superior to that of WKB in particular for low barrier MIM diodes [47]. Another added value for this method is its adaptability to simulate multi-insulator diodes as shown by Hashem et al [56].…”

Section: Transfer Matrix Methodmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Albeit that the model he presents overcomes the discontinuity problem of the potential barrier curve between the metal-insulator interfaces, it still needs curve fitting. Grover and Moddel [47] state that the WKB approach used by the Simmons model gives different results with respect to other approaches at lower barrier heights. Another drawback that this model suffers from is that the model is primarily a single insulator layer model as opposed to multi-insulator structures where more than one insulating layer is laminated in the diode structure.…”

Section: Without Illuminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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THz Rectennas and Their Design Rules

2017

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Abstract:The increasing demand for more efficient energy harvesting solutions has urged research for better harvesting solutions than the presently-available ones. While p-n junction solar cells have become commercially widespread, they are expensive and suffer from poor efficiency figures hardly reaching 20%. Other radiation-electricity converters such as rectennas have a theoretical limit in excess of 80%. However, no efficient rectenna solution for the terahertz frequency band has been commercialized or presented in the academic literature. In fact, there are many obstructions to an efficient solution. The aim of this paper is to address the key points towards an efficient and commercially-available solution by briefly reviewing the relevant literature and so identifying five factors that should be addressed in order to reach an efficient solution.

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“…Therefore, double or even triple layer insulators, comprised of different materials, have also been utilized to enhance the contrast ratio, by forming a heterostructure-like band structure. 8,[16][17][18] Even though the order of contrast ratio enhancement has been considerable, compared to the effect using a combination of two different metals, the multi-stack insulator contribution is not still enough to achieve high performance.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%