Determination of the optical activation energy of germanium by the method of photoelectric lines

Abstract

From the dependence of the photovoltage of the p-n junction on the temperature of black body radiation, with which the junction is illuminated, the optical activation energy of germanium E₀=0.62±0.02 eV at 300 ∘K is determined. On the basis of this measurement, and an analysis of the conductivity and optical measurements given in the literature, reasons are presented which render probable the conclusion that the optical activation energy of germanium is equal to the width of the band of forbidden energy values, of magnitude E_G=0.75−4.10⁻⁴T eV.