n-Type Surface Conductivity on p-Type Germanium
Abstract
A positive charge on the surface of a p-type germanium crystal induces a net negative space charge within the crystal adjacent to the surface. This space charge is composed of ionized acceptor atoms and also of electrons under certain conditions. When electrons occur they provide a layer of n-type conductivity immediately under the p-type germanium surface. Such a layer has been found on the p-type region of some n-p-n transistors. In the n-p-n structure the layer of electrons appears as an extra conducting path-"a channel"-across the p-type material between the two n-type ends. The conductance of a channel and the capacity between the channel and the p-type material have been measured and compared with the theoretical predictions based on a simple model.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review
- Pub Date:
- August 1953
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRev.91.518
- Bibcode:
- 1953PhRv...91..518B