An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A mechanism for the → transport of → electrons which occurs when the → Fermi level lies
below a low but wide energy → barrier. The → tunneling probability across the barrier is considerably suppressed due to the width of the barrier. However, at higher temperatures, the electron can raise its energy with the assistance of a vibrational mode. The electron is said to hop from one side of the barrier to the other side via an intermediate state.

See also: → thermal; → hop; → -ing.