Electron Delocalization inα-Nitrogen

A new technique has been developed for measuring electron drift mobility in crystals on a microscopic scale through its effect on muonium ( ${\mu }^{+}{e}^{-}$) atom formation via transport of electrons to thermalized positive muons ( ${\mu }^{+}$). Electron transport mechanisms are shown to be fundamentally different in the $\alpha$ and $\beta$ phases of solid nitrogen, giving at least 5 orders of magnitude difference in electron mobilities. Contrary to reported results of macroscopic time-of-flight measurements, excess electrons appear to be delocalized in $\alpha$- ${\mathrm{N}}_2$.