Abstract
We make use of persistent photoconductivity studies in GaAs to address the question of the charge state of EL2 defects which is a point of contention in current theories of their metastability. We first review conflicting interpretations of persistent hole photoconductivity in semi-insulating GaAs and then present new photoconductivity studies for n-type semiconducting GaAs to resolve residual points of conflict. We conclude that there is no evidence for a redistribution of charge in EL2 complexes during the metastable transition. Finally, further arguments based on experiment are presented against current models of a positively charged EL2 complex.

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