Abstract
Mott and Gurney1 pointed out that an insulator should be able to carry an electronic current if electrons were injected into it by a suitable contact. Such currents were observed experimentally by Smith and Rose2 in cadmium sulphide crystals. They showed that an essential condition was that the ‘deep trap’ density should be low, deep traps being centres with energy-levels well below the conduction band which can accept electrons. In a recent communication3 a model was proposed to account for the properties of semi-insulating gallium arsenide. The model suggested that in this material the above condition should be satisfied, and as a result it was predicted that space-charge currents should be observable. Here we present experimental results confirming the correctness of the prediction.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mott, K. F., and Gurney, R. W., “Electronic Processes in Ionic Crystals” (Oxford, 1940).
Smith, R. W., and Rose, A., Phys. Rev., 97, 1531 (1955).
Allen, J. W., Nature, 187, 403 (1960).
Lampert, M. A., Phys. Rev., 103, 1648 (1956).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ALLEN, J., CHERRY, R. Space-Charge Currents in Gallium Arsenide. Nature 189, 297–298 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/189297a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/189297a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.