Theory of space-charge-limited current enhanced by Frenkel effect

Abstract

The theory of space-charge-limited current controlled by a single set of shallow traps is extended to allow for the reduction of the effective trap depth caused by high electric fields. This reduction, the Frenkel effect, may become appreciable in fields of a few kilovolts per centimetre. A current-voltage characteristic is given which, though following the Mott-Gurney Law at low fields, predicts much greater currents than given by this law at high fields.