What is negative resistance device?

A negative resistance device is an electronic component that exhibits a decrease in voltage across it with an increase in current, leading to a negative differential resistance region on its current-voltage characteristic curve. This behavior allows it to amplify signals or generate oscillations, making it useful in applications like oscillators, amplifiers, and certain types of memory storage. Common examples include tunnel diodes and certain types of transistors. Negative resistance can enable innovative circuit designs by allowing energy to flow in unconventional ways.