Vertical field-effect transistor based on wave-function extension

We demonstrate a mechanism for a dual layer, vertical field-effect transistor, in which nearly depleting one layer will extend its wave function to overlap the other layer and increase tunnel current. We characterize this effect in a specially designed GaAs/AlGaAs device, observing a tunnel current increase of two orders of magnitude at cryogenic temperatures, and we suggest extrapolations of the design to other material systems such as graphene. © 2011 American Physical Society.