Abstract
Two-dimensional imaging of current filament patterns generated in homogeneousn-type GaAs during avalanche breakdown at low temperatures is reported. The self-generated formation and subsequent growth behavior of distinct single- and multifilament configurations could globally be visualized by means of a scanning electron microscope equipped with a liquid-helium stage. From local conductivity measurements in the smallest possible filaments (typical diameter of about 10 μm) carrier mobilities as high as about 4·106 cm2/Vs at 4.2 K were estimated. Such high-mobility filament channels may become interesting for applications in ultrafast electronic circuits.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Peinke, J., Mühlbach, A., Huebener, R.P., Parisi, J.: Phys. Lett.108A, 407 (1985)
Peinke, J., Röhricht, B., Mühlbach, A., Parisi, J., Nöldeke, Ch., Huebener, R.P., Rössler, O.E.: Z. Naturforsch.40a, 562 (1985)
Teitsworth, S.W., Westervelt, R.M., Haller, E.E.: Phys. Rev. Lett.51, 825 (1983)
Aoki, K., Yamamoto, K.: Phys. Lett.98A, 72 (1983)
Brandl, A., Geisel, T., Prettl, W.: Europhys. Lett.3, 401 (1987)
Huebener, R.P., Mayer, K.M., Parisi, J., Peinke, J., Röhricht, B.: Chaos in semiconductors. Proceedings of the International Conference on Chaos 1987, Monterey. Nucl. Phys. B [Proc. Suppl.]2, 3 (1987)
Mayer, K.M., Gross, R., Parisi, J., Peinke, J., Huebener, R.P.: Solid State Commun.63, 55 (1987)
Mayer, K.M., Peinke, J., Röhricht, B., Parisi, J., Huebener, R.P.: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference of the Condensed Matter Division of the EPS, Pisa, 1987. Phys. Scr. (to be published)
Baumann, H., Symanczyk, R., Radehaus, C., Purwins, H.-G., Jäger, D.: Phys. Lett.123A, 421, (1987)
Seifert, H.: Cryogenics22, 657 (1982)
Shen, C.C., Pande, K.P., Pearson, G.L.: J. Appl. Phys.53, 1236 (1982)
Ulbrich, R.: Phys. Rev. B8, 5719 (1973)
Wolfe, C.M., Stillman, G.E., Dimmock, J.O.: J. Appl. Phys.41, 504 (1970)
Crandall, R.S.: Phys. Rev. B1, 730 (1970)
Kieu, V.C.: Phys. Status Solidi (a)45, 571 (1978)
Emel'yanenko, O.V., Lagunova, T.S., Nasledov, D.N., Telegin, A.A., Chugueva, Z.I.: Fiz. Tekh. Poluprovodn.10, 1280 (1976) [sov. Phys. Semicond.10, 759 (1976)]
Hillmer, H., Mayer, G., Forchel, A., Löchner, K.S., Bauser, E.: High-speed electronics. Källbäck, B., Beneking, H. (eds.), pp. 97–100. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1986
Dapkus, P.D., Holonyak, N., Burnham, R.D., Keune, D.L., Burd, J.W., Lawley, K.L., Walline, R.E.: J. Appl. Phys.42, 4194 (1970)
Hastenrath, M.: PhD-Thesis, Duisburg 1982
Mannhart, J., Parisi, J., Mayer, K.M., Huebener, R.P.: IEEE Trans. El. Dev. ED-34, 1802 (1987)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mayer, K.M., Parisi, J. & Huebener, R.P. Imaging of self-generated multifilamentary current patterns in GaAs. Z. Physik B - Condensed Matter 71, 171–178 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01312786
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01312786