RE 63: One complexity which clarifies where the Johnson noise applies is that forward current crosses the narrow depletion region by tunneling. Johnson noise affects the flow of the tunneling electrons.
The diode resistance instead of the current can be plotted over the operating voltage range. The resistance changes radically near 0 V.
I saw a case where an assumption requiring that the Second Law be true was part of a mathematical proof that the Second Law was true. The Second Law is a tightly held paradigm.
A paper, Realization of Maxwell's Hypothesis An Experiment Against The Second Law of Thermodynamics Xin Yong Fu et all, Shanghai Jaio Tong University described an experiment where a static magnet rectified the flow of electrons between two similar low work function plates in a vacuum producing electrical power. The output stops when the magnet is removed and reverses when the magnetic polarity is reversed.
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