PHOTOCURRENT, SPACE-CHARGE BUILD-UP AND FIELD EMISSION IN ALKALI HALIDE CRYSTALS

Abstract

Research is discussed on the formation of space charges, the re lease of electrons from the cathode, and their transconductance through a dielectric. The considerations are based on additively colored alkali halide crystals which represent a transparent solid with frozen-in-electrons that can be mobilized by light absorption. When these electrons move toward the anode, they leave a positive space charge; an adjustable cathode fall results which can be steepened until electrons are released by field emission. The steady-state and transient solutions for the charging and discharging cycle were calculated. The effects of light intensity, wave length, and field emission are discussed. KBr crystals were investigated experimentally as a function of time, voltage, light intensity, and color-center density. Field emission was produced with voltages as low as 1 v, and a field-emission photocell was realized.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1953
Accession Number
AD0006049

Entities

People

  • A. Von Hippel
  • E. P. Gross
  • J. G. Jelatis
  • M. Geller

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Color Centers
  • Crystals
  • Electron Emission
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Field Emission
  • Intensity
  • Photoelectric Cells (Semiconductor)
  • Space Charge
  • Steady State
  • Transconductance

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster