Observations on a Form of Breakdown in Germanium Diodes

Abstract

The (I, V) characteristic of germanium diodes is shown to depend markedly upon the wave forms used to plot it by oscilloscopic means. When the time variation of current is studied by the use of microsecond pulses a breakdown first observed by Billig occurs. The critical barrier temperature at which this breakdown occurs and the barrier radius are obtained by postulating a simple model for the contact. The possibility of the breakdown being due to thermal instability is discussed.