Measurement of the velocity of current filaments in optically triggered, high gain GaAs switches

Journal Article · Mon Jun 13 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Applied Physics Letters; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.111266· OSTI ID:7046289

Loubriel, G M; Zutavern, F J; Hjalmarson, H P; Gallegos, R R; Helgeson, W D; O'Malley, M W ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185 (United States)

Pictures are presented of the time evolution of current filaments during optically triggered, high gain switching in GaAs. Two filaments are triggered with two laser diode arrays and the time delay between them is varied. When the filament that is triggered first crosses the switch the voltage drops and the other filament ceases to grow. By varying the delay between the lasers, the tip velocity is measured to be 2[plus minus]1[times]10[sup 9] cm/s, 100 times larger than the peak drift velocity of carriers in GaAs. This observation supports switching models that rely on carrier generation at the tip of the filament.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 7046289
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters; (United States) Vol. 64:24; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360606* -- Other Materials-- Physical Properties-- (1992-)
42 ENGINEERING
426000 -- Engineering-- Components
Electron Devices & Circuits-- (1990-)
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CURRENTS
DIODE TUBES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRON TUBES
EQUIPMENT
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
LASERS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
PNICTIDES
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SWITCHES
TIME DELAY