Magnetoresistance (MR) measurements have been performed in the tempera
ture range 100-300 K on macroporous porous silicon (P.S.) samples. P.S
. layers have been prepared by the anodic dissolution of Si in HF acid
. The MR has been found to be positive in P.S. for the temperature ran
ge 100-300 K and for the entire range of magnetic field (0-5 kG). Howe
ver the magnitude of the positive MR is found to be much less than exp
ected on the basis of free electron conduction. Also the value of n in
the relation Delta rho/rho(o) proportional to B-n for the temperature
range 100-300 K is found to be < 2, implying that there is a contribu
tion of some phenomenon other than the flee electron conduction to MR.
The measured data suggest that it is the contribution of localized st
ate conduction near the Fermi level and in the localized states near t
he band edges. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.