DC conduction of Al₂O₃ under high electric field

Abstract

The experimental electrical conduction current of Al2O3 has been investigated versus applied field (up to 40 kV mm−1) and temperature (from 293 to 403 K). Different conduction theories were confronted to experimental data in order to find the most suitable one. It was found that at high electric fields, space charge limited conduction is able to describe the carrier transport mechanism in Al2O3. Estimated charge carrier mobilities seem to obey an Arrhenius law and traps are found to be shallow.