Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1989

DOI

10.1063/1.102076

Publication Title

Applied Physics Letters

Volume

55

Issue

20

Pages

2102-2104

Abstract

Persistent photoconductivity in copper-compensated, silicon-doped semi-insulating gallium arsenide with a time constant as large as 30 µs has been excited by sub-band-gap laser radiation of photon energy greater than 1 eV. This photoconductivity has been quenched on a nanosecond time scale by laser radiation of photon energy less than 1 eV. The proven ability to turn the switch conductance on and off on command, and to scale the switch to high power could make this semiconductor material the basis of an optically controlled pulsed-power closing and opening switch.

Original Publication Citation

Mazzola, M. S., Schoenbach, K. H., Lakdawala, V. K., & Ko, S. T. (1989). Nanosecond optical quenching of photoconductivity in a bulk GaAs switch. Applied Physics Letters, 55(20), 2102-2104. doi:10.1063/1.102076

Share

COinS