Calculation of the traversal time in resonant tunneling devices

Abstract

Transmission line techniques are used to calculate the traversal time of electrons in resonant tunneling structures. It is suggested that the real part of the quantum-mechanical wave impedance Re[(2ℏ/m*)ψ′/ψ], at resonance, can be used to calculate the electron traversal time. Furthermore, it is shown that for symmetric structures the lifetime and evolution time of electrons are the same. The sum of the lifetime and the evolution time equals the electron traversal time. Traversal time variations for the asymmetric well are discussed.