Solution of the continuity equation in planar symmetry cases and assessment of photoluminescence decay

Abstract
The decay of excess carriers induced in a semiconductor sample by a laser pulse is studied. The decay rate is proved to be independent of the spatial dependence of the hole-electron generation rate provoked by the laser beam. The effect of surface recombination can be minimized by waiting until the response drops to about 1% of its initial value. The accuracy of photoluminescence decay measurements of Auger lifetime is examined in view of this and other criteria developed here.