repulsive localized states. The critical distance rc, where σ=πrc2, is defined in the text. For coulombic repulsive centers the capture cross-section σ is reduced exponentially as a function of the potential barrier Δϕ.
where, q is the charge on the electron and ε is the dielectric constant of the material. From this:
For coulombic repulsive centers the capture cross-section σ is reduced exponentially as a function of the potential barrier Δϕ – i.e. by exp{−qΔϕkT}. Thus, the capture cross-section of a repulsive trap is exponentially dependent on temperature.
Experimentally determined values for σ range from ~10–16 m2 for attractive centers (so-called giant traps) to ~10–26 m2 for repulsive centers. Also, since ve∝T1/2, then KE∝T, and σ∝T−2 for attractive or neutral centers. It is clear that a coulombic attractive trap for a free electron is a repulsive trap for a free hole, and vice-versa. Thus, each localized state is represented by two cross-sections, one for electrons, σe and one for holes, σh. If σe>>σh the state is defined as an electron trap, while for a hole trap σh>>σe.
Apart from thermal excitation out of the localized state, there is also the possibility that the trapped electron might attract an oppositely charged hole and the two may recombine. If a recombination event is more likely that a detrapping event, the localized state is called a recombination center. If the opposite is true, it is a trap. Thus, one can imagine that at a given temperature T, there may exist a state for which the probabilities are equal, that is:
for electrons, and
for holes. In these expressions, the left-hand side of the equation represents the probability of thermal excitation from the trap and the right-hand side represents the probability of recombination with the carrier of opposite sign. The definitions of the terms are: se and sh are the attempt-to-escape frequencies for the trapped electrons and the trapped holes, respectively; n and m are the concentrations of trapped electrons and holes; Bhe and Beh are the probabilities of recombination for electrons with holes and vice-versa, expressed in units m3.s–1. In turn, these are defined as Bhe=σheve and Beh=σehvh, where σhe and σeh are the cross-sections for the capture of electrons by holes, and holes by electrons, respectively and ve and vh are the free electron and free hole thermal velocities. The fictional energies De and Dh are those energies for which Equations 2.10 and 2.11 are true, and are known as the “Demarcation Levels,” one for electrons and one for holes. They are illustrated in Figure 2.1b. For electron and hole localized levels at energy depths Ete and Eth, such that Ete > De and Eth < Dh, the localized states are traps; for energies EF < Ete < De and EF > Eth > Dh, the localized states are recombination centers. In this way it is clear that recombination centers tend to have energies near the center of the band gap, whereas trap energies are toward the upper (for electrons) or lower (for holes) regions of the gap.
Also to be noted is that Equations 2.10 and 2.11 are highly dependent on temperature, and thus a localized level that is a trap at high temperatures, may be a recombination center at lower temperatures. The weaker temperature dependencies of the attempt-to-escape frequencies and the cross-sections are less significant than the exponential dependence on T.
The processes of trapping and recombination are represented schematically in Figure 2.7 based on the energy band model for a crystalline solid. In the simple model represented in Figure 2.7 there is only one species of electron localized state and one species of hole localized state. It is further assumed that seexp{−EtekT}>nBhe and that shexp{−EthkT}<mBeh such that the trapped hole acts as a recombination center for free electrons, whereas the electron center is defined as a trap. As a result, the model of Figure 2.7 is referred to as the One-Trap/One-Recombination-Center (OTOR) model. In this model, transition (1) represents an ionization event in which an electron is ionized from its host atom and becomes free to move throughout the crystal. At the same time, a free hole is created in the valence band, at which energies it also is free to move. Transitions (2) and (3) represent localization (i.e. trapping) of the free electron and free hole at the electron and hole traps respectively. Upon thermal excitation from the electron trap (transition (4)), the freed electron may recombine with the trapped hole (transition (5)).
Figure 2.7 A simple model with one electron trap and one recombination center (the One-Trap/One-Recombination-Center, or OTOR, model). Transition (1) represents an ionization event in which one electron (black dot) is ionized from its host atom and becomes free to move throughout the crystal. At the same time, a free hole (open dot) is created in the valence band and it too becomes free to move. Transitions (2) and (3) represent trapping of the free electron and free hole at electron and hole traps respectively. In this model it is assumed that seexp{−EtekT}>nBhe and that shexp{−EthkT}<mBeh such that the trapped hole acts as a recombination center for free electrons. Upon thermal excitation from the trap (transition (4)), the freed electron may recombine with the trapped hole (transition (5)).
Exercise 2.1
(a) Consider an electron trap at energy E and energy depth Et = Ec – E (where Ec is the bottom of the conduction band). The total concentration of traps is N, of which n are filled with electrons. What will be the occupancy of this trap if E = EF?
(b) If Nc is the density of available states in the conduction band, nc is the concentration of free electrons, ve is the thermal velocity of free electrons, and σ is the capture cross-section for the trap, show that the attempt-to-escape frequency, s is given by Equation 2.3. (Hint: consider equilibrium between trap filling and trap emptying.)
(c) What is the expected T dependence of s?
(d) If me*≈mh*, show that, at thermal equilibrium at T > 0 K, the Fermi Level lies mid-gap.
2.2.1.2 Optical Excitation
If, instead of heating a material, the trapped electrons are released from their traps via absorption of energy from photons, Equation
