Recombination in Pb0.83Sn0.17Te at high levels of optical excitation

Abstract
The photoconductivity and the photomagnetoelectric current in low‐concentration, high‐lifetime Pb0.83Sn0.17Te samples are measured at strong optical excitation using a Q‐switched ruby laser. At quantum flux Q > 2 × 1021 cm−2s−1 nonlinear recombination is observed. From the characteristics measured the coefficient of Auger recombination C = (4.5 ± 1) × 10−27 cm6s−1 is obtained. The results are confirmed by lifetime data obtained at low excitation levels.