  A one-dimensional quantum system with off diagonal disorder, consisting of a
sample of conducting regions randomly interspersed within potential barriers is
considered. Results mainly concerning the large $N$ limit are presented. In
particular, the effect of compression on the transmission coefficient is
investigated. A numerical method to simulate such a system, for a physically
relevant number of barriers, is proposed. It is shown that the disordered model
converges to the periodic case as $N$ increases, with a rate of convergence
which depends on the disorder degree. Compression always leads to a decrease of
the transmission coefficient which may be exploited to design
nano-technological sensors. Effective choices for the physical parameters to
improve the sensitivity are provided. Eventually large fluctuations and rate
functions are analysed.
