Abstract:
We study a series array of nonlinear electrical circuit elements
that possess negative differential resistance and find that heterogeneity in the element properties leads to the presence of multiple branches in
current-voltage curves and a non-uniform distribution of voltages
across the elements. An inhomogeneity parameter $r_{max}$ is introduced to
characterize the extent to which the individual element voltages deviate from one another, and it is found to be strongly dependent on the rate of change of applied voltage. An analytical
criterion is derived for the dependence of $r_{max}$ on voltage ramping rate and is
confirmed by direct numerical simulation.
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