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Leakage is the diffusion of energy or matter out of a container. In chemistry, leakage carries the meaning of undesirable loss of chemicals. In electronics, leakage means the gradual loss of energy from a cell or capacitor stored with high chemical energy. In semiconductors, leakage refers to a process where electrons stray from their desired path. In retail trade, leakage means a loss of stock.

Electronics

In electronics, leakage is a property of dielectric materials used in capacitors, also known as dielectric leakage. It is a result of the dielectric material having a finite resistance and therefore carrying a current (known as the leakage current) due to the voltage across it. This results in capacitors discharging themselves over time (analagous to a bucket full of water with a hole in it, the size of hole relating to the amount of leakage).

The dielectric material can be selected to have low leakage, which can be required for some electronics applications such as sample and hold circuits.

Semiconductor

In semiconductor devices, leakage is a quantum phenomenon where electrons tunnel through an insulating region. Leakage increases exponentially as the thickness of the insulating region decreases. The primary source of leakage occurs inside transistors, but electrons can also leak between interconnects. Leakage increases power consumption and if sufficiently large can cause complete circuit failure. Leakage is currently one of the main factors limiting increased processor performance. Efforts to minimize leakage include the use of strained silicon, high-k dielectrics, and/or stronger dopant levels in the semiconductor.

Chemistry

In chemistry, leakage is a process which materials are loss gradually through the holes of their containers. Often, leakage can be disastrous if the leaked material is harmful or corrosive.

Zinc-carbon battery is an example of easy-leaking system. The electrolytes inside the cell often leaks out of the cell shell and causes damage to the electronic appliance.

Retail

In retail, leakage is the loss of stock without a compensating stream of revenue, for example, a till operator stealing from a till, or a shoplifter stealing stock.

• Electronics
• Chemical processes
• Distribution, retailing, and wholesaling