PERSISTENT PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY AT ELEVATED-TEMPERATURES IN CD1-XMNXTE-IN

Persistent photoconductivity measurements have been made on several sa mples of Cd1-xMnxTe:In with manganese concentrations in the range 5-15 %. The effect of composition on the persistent photoconductivity (PPC ) effect has been studied. The PPC is usually quenched at a temperatur e of about 100 K but some samples exhibit PPC which exists up to 190 K . The origin of this effect is discussed in terms of several models of PPC. Particular attention is paid to the various possibilities for mu ltiple DX-like centers in these materials. Also, a small number of sam ples have been identified as being possible candidates for being drive n through the insulator-metal transition via photodoping. One possible application of these samples (which has already been suggested) would be to write erasable conductive, or even metallic, patterns on an ins ulating background. The requirements for this area of application are discussed in order to ascertain whether Cd1-xMnxTe:In is a suitable ma terial.