Quantitative assessment of the photosaturation technique

O. B. Aphek, L. Kronik*, M. Leibovitch, Yoram Shapira

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The photosaturation technique is a well-known method for measuring the band-bending at semiconductor surfaces. It is based on the assumption that the bands can be flattened upon sufficiently intense illumination. The validity of this approach has been a subject of considerable dispute. A rigorous, quantitative examination of the method is presented. The physical mechanisms governing the photosaturation experiment are identified and analyzed using both an analytical and a numerical model. We show that while the technique is essentially valid, the illumination intensity required to obtain band flattening may be unrealistically high. Criteria for attaining photosaturation are formulated in terms of surface state parameters. Numerous pitfalls and sources of misinterpretation are pointed out. Specifically, a previously undiscussed pseudo-saturation due to surface states with significantly different thermal cross-sections, is described. A systematic approach to future experiments is suggested.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)485-500
Number of pages16
JournalSurface Science
Volume409
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Jul 1998

Keywords

  • Photosaturation
  • Surface band-bending
  • Surface photovoltage

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