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Lifetimes and diffusion lengths. A study in semiconductor physics. Ashley Finger and Dr. Tim Gfroerer Davidson College. Introduction. Properties and behavior of semiconductors. What are semiconductors?.
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Lifetimes and diffusion lengths A study in semiconductor physics Ashley Finger and Dr. Tim Gfroerer Davidson College
Introduction Properties and behavior of semiconductors.
What are semiconductors? University of Colorado at Boulder. “Semiconductor Fundamentals.” Accessed 4 Dec. 2013. ecee.colorado.edu. Streetman, Ben G. Solid State Electronic Devices. 6th ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2006. Online Resources. Image 3.4.
Why are they useful? Current Dark n-type p-type Voltage Illuminated
Theory Basis for our experiment
Diffusion • τ is the effective lifetime: the average time before recombination. • L is the effective diffusion length: the average distance before recombination.
Our experiment Set-up and procedure
Experiment 2: set-up Pulsed Laser
Experiment 2: analysis Low Excitation High Excitation Note: Models are consistent at intermediate excitation.
results Summary of our findings
Data compilation Exponential Behavior Reciprocal Behavior ~1015 ~1016
Rate equations with trapping Orton, J.W. and P. Blood. The Electrical Characterization of Semiconductors: Measurement of Minority Carrier Properties. San Diego: Academic Press, 1990. p.20.
Model Results After Pulse Steady State 1x1016 Theoretical response traps available Carrier Density (cm-3) 1x1015 traps filled Experimental fit 1x1014 2 4 6 8 Time (10-8 s)
Conclusions Reflections and Direction of future work
Conclusions • At moderate and high carrier densities, the lifetimes and diffusion lengths behave as expected. • At low densities, the behavior is unexpected. • The difference in the threshold density is due to the nature of the experiment. What next? • Quantitative model of trapping. • Modelling the low density behavior of carriers (screening?)