Abstract
We begin this chapter with a brief presentation of the theory of single electron tunneling (SET) through a potential barrier. The conditions necessary for the observation and registration of this effect include a low temperature of a few kelvins and a small-sized sample. Low temperature will reduce the thermal energy that could interfere with the tunneling process. A small size of the tunneling junction is necessary to ensure its low electric capacitance. Further in this chapter we describe the basic electronic systems using SET: the SETT transistor, the electron pump, and the turnstile device. We discuss the attempts to construct a direct-current standard with SET junctions and explain why the results are unsatisfactory. We also describe two SET systems of more practical importance: the electron-counting capacitance standard (ECCS) and the Coulomb blockade thermometer (CBT).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
