Pyroelectric effect induced by the built-in field of the p-n junction in the quantum paraelectric PbTe: Experimental study

A. V. Butenko, V. Sandomirsky, R. Kahatabi, Z. Dashevsky, V. Kasiyan, Y. Schlesinger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report here the first observation of a pyroelectric effect in a nonpolar semiconductor. This effect originates in the temperature-dependent electric dipole of the PbTe p-n junction. The junction was illuminated by a chopped CO2 laser beam, and periodic and single-pulse pyroelectric signals were observed and measured as a function of temperature, reverse bias voltage, and chopper frequency. The measured pyroelectric coefficient is 10-3μC/cm2K in the region of 40-80 K. The theoretical model describes quantitatively all experimental features. The time evolution of the temperature inside the junction region was reconstructed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number057603
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume100
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Feb 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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