Quantum Shot Noise in Tunnel Junctions

The current and voltage fluctuations in a normal tunnel junction are calculated from microscopic theory. The power spectrum can deviate from the familiar Johnson-Nyquist form when the self-capacitance of the junction is small, at low temperatures (C<~0.1 pF, T<~10 mK), permitting experimental verification. The deviation reflects the discrete nature of the charge transfer across the junction and should be present in a wide class of similar systems.