Electron Temperature in Semi-Insulating GaAs for Low Electric Fields

Heating of electrons by electric fields smaller than that required for generation of domain oscillations was investigated in samples of EL2-rich semi-insulating GaAs. Current-voltage characteristics were measured as a function of temperature between 268 K and 330 K. They exhibit a sublinear shape which is interpreted as a result of an enhanced electron capture on the EL2. The capture rate and the electron temperature as a function of the electric field was determined. A fitting procedure gave the value of electron capture cross-section on the EL2 to be 2.7 × 10$\text{}^{-13}$ cm$\text{}^{2}$ which agrees with literature data.