Relation for the nonequilibrium population of the interface states: effects on the bias dependence of the ideality factors

By an analysis of the exchange of carriers through a semiconductor junction, a general relationship for the nonequilibrium population of the interface states in Schottky barrier diodes has been derived. Based on this relationship, an analytical expression for the ideality factor valid in the whole range of applied bias has been given. This quantity exhibits two different behaviours depending on the value of the applied bias with respect to a critical voltage. This voltage, which depends on the properties of the interfacial layer, constitutes a new parameter to complete the characterization of these junctions. A simple interpretation of the different behaviours of the ideality factor has been given in terms of the nonequilibrium charging properties of interface states, which in turn explains why apparently different approaches have given rise to similar results. Finally, the relevance of our results has been considered on the determination of the density of interface states from nonideal current-voltage characteristics and in the evaluation of the effects of the interfacial layer thickness in metal-insulator-semiconductor tunnelling diodes

Quantifying Key Characteristics of 71 Data Protection Laws

This paper presents a pioneering study that unlocks six characteristics in the literal text of 71 Data Protection Laws (DPLs). The characteristics are: the type of collection requirements; the presence of data protection authorities; data protection officers; data breach notification laws; monetary-; and criminal penalties. The quantification allows comparison of data protection laws with each other, such as a potential federal U.S. DPL with European DPLs. It can also be used for empirical legal research in information security by linking the data to other variables, for instance, deep packet inspection. There are some noteworthy initial results: only 5 out of 71 DPLs have penalties for non-compliance that exceed 1 million euro. Moreover, compared to the United States (US), few countries (21 out of 71) have data breach notification laws. Principal component analysis reveals that the six characteristics can be grouped in two unobserved factors, which explain ‘basic characteristics’ across laws and ‘add-ons’ to these characteristics. By combining these two factors a privacy index is constructed. Moreover, countries that are not known for their stringent privacy control such as Mauritius and Mexico occupy a top position in this index. Member States of the European Union have DPLs with a privacy control score above average but hold no absolute top position. It is hoped that these findings will open avenues for new research, such as adding more characteristics to the database and further quantification of (internet) law