The Hall effect in polycrystalline and powdered semiconductors

Abstract

Gives a critical review of idealised two-phase geometrical models. These treatments derive expressions for the resistivity and Hall coefficient of a composite material in terms of the properties of its constituents. The authors show that these models can be applied to the interpretation of transport measurements in polycrystalline films and powder layers. Important distinctions are made depending on whether the depletion layers extend completely or partially through the grains, whether the Debye length is greater or less than the grain size and whether the mean free path is greater or less than the grain size. The authors discuss the theoretical treatment of the Hall effect in percolative systems, as geometrical models neglect percolation. The modulation of Hall coefficient and conductivity by illumination and the adsorption and desorption of ambient gases are also considered.