Comparing the relativistic and non-relativistic transmission coefficients of the electron transport through a quantum heterostructure (Q397784)

The Letter deals with the transport of relativistic electrons through a quantum heterostructure in the presence of a constant bias voltage. The transmission coefficient associated to the relativistic moving through the considered system is computed using the transfer matrix formalism for piecewise constant potentials. An application for GaAs/Al\(_{0.3}\)Ga\(_{0.7}\)As is performed, sustaining in this way the purely formal theory presented in [\textit{I. Cotaescu} et. al, ``Applying the Dirac equation to derive the transfer matrix for piecewise constant potentials'', Phys. Lett., A 366, 363--366 (2007)]. The results are compared to those which correspond to the non-relativistic case, in which the Schrödinger equation is used. The comparison is performed for different values of the system length and the effect of the bias voltage is also studied. (abstract plus additions)