@inproceedings{c11f7347ef314644bcab863f9ca57636,
title = "Geometrical rectifying properties of metal-vacuum-metal junctions",
abstract = "Point-contact diodes are among the devices used for the selective detection and mixing of infrared radiations [1]. In these devices a sharp tip terminates in a MVM or MIM barrier. However, in contrast to a linear MIM rectifier, rectification can here be due to the geometrical asymmetry of the tip [1,2]. Current efforts aim at reducing the characteristic response times and improving the sensitivity of these systems. Fundamental properties and potential applications of metal-vacuum-metal junctions exhibiting a geometrical asymmetry are still open to investigation. We report on the rectification properties of geometrically asymmetric metal-vacuum-metal (MVM) junctions. Our model is a planar cathode metal that supports a hemispherical protrusion. Using a transfer matrix methodology, we compute the forward and backward currents. The currents enable the calculation of the rectification ratio of the device in the limit of quasistatic fields.",
author = "Alexandre Mayer and Weiss, {Brock Landon} and Chung, {M. S.} and Miskovsky, {N. M.} and Cutler, {P. H.}",
year = "2008",
month = dec,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1109/PVSC.2008.4922782",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9781424416417",
series = "Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference",
booktitle = "33rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2008",
note = "33rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2008 ; Conference date: 11-05-2008 Through 16-05-2008",
}