On stochastic switching of bistable resonant-tunneling structures via nucleation

TL;DR

This paper investigates the stochastic switching behavior in bistable resonant-tunneling structures, estimating the critical nucleus size needed for state transition and concluding it is too large to be caused by electron noise.

Contribution

It provides a quantitative estimate of the critical nucleus size for stochastic switching in resonant-tunneling structures, linking deterministic front results to stochastic phenomena.

Findings

Critical nucleus size is macroscopic for realistic parameters.

Stochastic electron noise is insufficient to create the critical nucleus.

Deterministic front results inform stochastic switching analysis.

Abstract

We estimate the critical size of the initial nucleus of the low current state in a bistable resonant tunneling structure which is needed for this nucleus to develop into a lateral switching front. Using the results obtained for deterministic switching fronts, we argue that for realistic structural parameters the critical nucleus has macroscopic dimensions and therefore is too large to be created by stochastic electron noise.