Resistivity Striations in Germanium Crystals

Abstract

Germanium metal, both single crystalline and polycrystalline, is frequently found to contain sharp fluctuations in impurity concentration. These are superimposed on the gradual variations expected as the result of ordinary segregation processes. A rather simple technique for detecting fluctuations of this kind has been developed. It is more sensitive than resistivity scanning and does not involve the use of radioactive tracers. This technique has been applied to a number of samples. The origin, value, and elimination of these fluctuations are discussed briefly.