Current-Voltage Characteristics of Porous Silicon Made from A P/N Junction Structure

Abstract

We have made studies on the TRANSVERSE transport properties of the porous Si made from a novel P/N junction structure. The structures of porous Si were examined for various electrochemical etching conditions and they were correlated with the electrical data. The junciton was fabricated by shallow diffusion, with porous Si formed perpendicular to the junction and between two indium ohmic contacts. This structure confines currents to the direction parallel to the surface. Distinct feature on I–V curves have been observed, including sudden rise of currents and the existence of negative differential resistances (NDR). The characteristics appeared stable and depended on the polarity of bias. Suggestions are made that the porous Si could be composed of microcrystals, and feasibility of carrier transport through quantum boxes responsible for the electrical behaviors are discussed.