Abstract
With use of the matrix deduced by Tsu and Esaki [Appl. Phys. Lett. 22, 562 (1973)], ‖M22‖2, the square of an absolute value for one of the matrix elements, which together represent a whole resonant tunneling double-barrier diode, is calculated by inserting tabulated products of two partial-diode matrix elements into the respective terms for ‖M22‖2. The same calculation method is then also applied to a calculation of ‖M22‖2 for a triple-barrier diode. From the calculated ‖M22‖2 the fundamental quantities that determine the resonant tunneling diode characteristics—transmission coefficients, resonant conditions, and full widths at half maximum of resonant peaks—are calculated for double- and triple-barrier diodes. These calculated formulas are rather simple, and so they are useful tools for understanding the physical mechanisms of the resonant tunneling diode and for developing other theoretical applications. Furthermore, the method of calculating ‖M22‖2 could be applied to diodes more complex than the triple-barrier diode treated here.