Abstract
Ge is a new IV-VI compound which has electrical properties similar to those of the degenerate semiconductors GeTe and SnTe. Optical absorption has been measured in single crystals of Ge grown by an iodine transport process. The measurements show a sharp absorption edge followed by a rapid rise in absorption at long wavelengths caused by the large free-carrier concentration ( holes ). The absorption edge is interpreted as the fundamental absorption edge of a semiconductor. It is concluded that Ge is a degenerate semiconductor which has a band gap considerably less than 0.82 eV.
- Received 10 August 1967
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.169.602
©1968 American Physical Society