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Measurement of the electron drift velocity in silicon

Citation

Rodriguez, Valentin (1969) Measurement of the electron drift velocity in silicon. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/B8ER-9195. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09272002-164439

Abstract

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The drift velocity of electrons in silicon at high electric fields is measured in the <111> direction over the range of lattice temperatures from 4.2[degrees]K to 300[degrees]K. This information is obtained from measurements of pure unipolar (sclc) space-charge-limited current. Structures of the type [n^+ n n^+] and [n^+ p n^+] have been manufactured to study this current. The experimental V-I characteristics obtained from these structures offer a consistent picture. The theoretical models adopted are simple and adequate.

The drift velocity is found to increase monotonically with electric field strength in the range of lattice temperatures covered. It is established that a limiting drift velocity exists at high electric fields. Its temperature dependence is measured from 4.2[degrees]K to 300[degrees]K. No indication of a negative differential mobility - as observed in GaAs and Ge below 77[degrees]K - is present. At 300[degrees]K and 77[degrees]K the velocity-field relationship is determined from the linear (low field) range up to a field strength of the order of [10^5] volt/cm. A comparison with results obtained by other authors at those two temperatures yields good agreement, in particular at 300[degrees]K.

A fairly complete treatment of the influence on unipolar sclc of: (1) trapping, (2) geometry, (3) ionized impurities, (4) illumination, and (5) thermal carriers, is presented. In particular, the effect of giant trapping and normal trapping is studied in detail. The threshold voltage is measured as a function of lattice temperature from 4.2[degrees]K to 300[degrees]K. In the range from 4.2[degrees]K to 50[degrees]K, its temperature dependence is correlated to that of the trapping crosssection for the compensated donor atoms. Above 77[degrees]K, the temperature dependence of the threshold voltage is linked to that of the Debye length. From this analysis, the degree of compensation of the material is derived in a simple way.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Electrical Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Nicolet, Marc-Aurele
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:27 June 1968
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-09272002-164439
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09272002-164439
DOI:10.7907/B8ER-9195
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:3803
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:30 Sep 2002
Last Modified:20 Dec 2019 19:44

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