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Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary
single electron transistor The single electron transistor (SET) uses controlled electron tunneling to amplify current. SET can be used as the most sensitive device for measuring electric charge, or as a type of switching device. A SET is made from two tunnel junctions that share a common electrode. A tunnel junction consists of two pieces of metal separated by a very thin (~1 nm) insulator. The only way for electrons in one of the metal electrodes to travel to the other electrode is to tunnel through the insulator. Since tunneling is a discrete process, the electric charge that flows through the tunnel junction flows in multiples of e, the charge of a single electron.
Related Terms
single electron transistor
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