Diffusion, Static Charges, and the Conduction of Electricity in Nonmetallic Solids by a Single Charge Carrier. II. Solution of the Rectifier Equations for Insulating Layers

Abstract

The discussion of the thermodynamic equilibrium of an electron atmosphere in a dielectric is extended to the current‐carrying steady state. Under the assumption that the experimental behavior at zero current is continuous with that when there are finite electrical currents, it is found that forward and reverse currents show distinct behavior. Expressions are developed for the electrostatic potential, field, charge density, the current‐applied voltage relation, and the capacity and rectifying behavior of dielectric layers. The non‐ohmic conduction exhibits rectification, and departures from the Wagner relation are predicted, of the type observed experimentally, including turnover voltages. The contact charging of a dielectric is the zero‐current limit of the non‐ohmic behavior which causes rectification.