Fowler-Nordheim tunneling in SiO2 films

Abstract The observation of Fowler-Nordheim tunneling from a magnesium electrode into the conduction band of SiO2 is reported. The observed tunnel currents are independent of temperature and have the theoretical voltage dependence over a range of five decades. The present data together with previously reported values for the Mg-SiO2 barrier energy indicate an average effective mass ratio of 0.47 for electrons in the oxide forbidden band.