What is Electron Migration or “Leakage” and It’s occurences in Phenom II Processors

Hey guys, In this thread here over at OCN: http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/499526-phenom-ii-x4-955-oc-thread-74.html
I was asked to explain what “leakage” was and how it can be a positive thing on the Phenom II’s. I am just learning about this stuff as well, so I have put it into an easy to understand summary. Enjoy

Alright. Here is your Electrical Engineering Lesson for the day (Coming from a Student aspiring to get into electrical engineering):

Inside microprocessors, the purpose is to funnel electrons through electrical switches. With new process technologies, these circuits are getting so small that barriers between different paths are getting thinner and thinner.

Now, when one of these barriers is so thin and there is high voltage running through the circuit, an electron or groups of electrons can jump the barrier. This is called Electron Leakage, or Electron Migration. In Intel 45nm Processors, this is what causes degradation. AMD 45nm, not so much.

The reason why this is a “good thing” in Phenom II processors is because they dislike high voltages and in fact, become less stable with more voltage on a path running through a switch. When more of these electrons “jump” to another path, not as many electrons are passing through the switch. This allows for more stability at a higher voltage.

Now, I myself do not know if this electron leaking harms the Phenom II’s like it does to the Intel 45nm process. So far, we have seen it does not really.

So there you have it. Electron Leakage explained.

If this is wrong then someone please correct me.