The effect of Ag photodiffusion on characteristics of Ag-CdS diode structures

The effect of illumination on silver diffusion in Ag-CdS diode structures a t room temperature was investigated by using radiotracer technique. The eff ect of photostimulated Ag diffusion in CdS at room temperature (D = 1.2 x 1 0(-11) cm(2) s(-1)) is equivalent to thermal diffusion of silver at about 1 50 degrees C. The influence of silver photodiffusion on electrical, photoel ectrical and optical characteristics of Ag-CdS diode structures was studied . A decrease in the photosensitivity, rectifying characteristics of Ag-CdS diode structures and an increase in the electron concentration in the near- surface region of the CdS substrate and in the junction width and optical t ransmission of the structure were discovered after illumination. The possib le mechanisms of photostimulated silver diffusion in CdS and degradation of characteristics of Ag-CdS diode structures are considered.