Photocarrier diffusivities of Si have been measured near a surface cov
ered with naturally grown oxide layer and in the bulk using the transi
ent grating technique in reflection and transmission geometries, respe
ctively. Within experimental uncertainty, the surface diffusivity near
the surface is found to be essentially the same as that in the bulk,
indicating that in the medium-high carrier density regime there is no
significant surface effects such as surface recombination, surface sta
te trapping or band bending, affecting band edge carrier diffusion.