Space Charge Effects in Bombardment Conductivity through Diamond

Abstract

Electrons excited to the conduction band of an insulator under electron bombardment are, in general, not able to leave the insulator, but become trapped at imperfections in the crystal lattice. The trapped electrons give rise to a space charge which modifies the motion of electrons excited to the conduction band subsequent to the trapping. In this way, the current through the crystal becomes a function of time.