Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

"Noise is, by definition, any random and persistent disturbance, which interferes with the clarity of a signal. Modern electronic devices are designed to limit noise, and in most cases the classical forms of noise have been eliminated or greatly reduced through careful design. However, there is a fundamental, quite unavoidable type of noise, called quantum 1/f noise, which occurs at low frequencies and is a fundamental consequence of the discrete nature of the charge carriers themselves. This quantum 1/f noise is present in any physical cross section or process rate, such as carrier mobility, diffusion rates and scattering processes. Although quantum 1/f noise has been observed for nearly a century, there has been much debate over its origin and formulation. But as modern electronic devices require greater levels of performance and detection, the 1/f noise phenomenon has moved to the forefront, becoming the subject of intense research.

Here, for the first time, the quantum 1/f fluctuations present in both the dark current of the Quantum Well lntersubband Photodetector and the tunneling current of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope are investigated. Using the quantum 1/f theory, the quantum 1/f noise occurring in each of these devices is formulated. The theoretical noise results are then compared with the experimental findings of various authors with very good agreement. This important work provides a foundation for understanding quantum 1/f noise and its causes in the QWIP and STM devices, and could ultimately lead to improved technology and noise reduction in these devices and others"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Handel, Peter H.
Peacher, Jerry

Committee Member(s)

Xu, Zhi
Fraundorf, Phil
George, Thomas
DuBois, R. D. (Robert D.), 1951-

Department(s)

Physics

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Physics

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2010

Pagination

x, 208 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 198-207).

Rights

© 2010 Amanda Marie Truong, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Electronic noiseQuantum electronicsQuantum wellsScanning tunneling microscopy

Thesis Number

T 9648

Print OCLC #

749905927

Electronic OCLC #

909391886

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