Correct determination of electron concentration in n-GaSb by electrical measurements

Abstract

The concentrations of conduction electrons in n-GaSb at 295 and 77 K have been calculated taking into account the non-parabolic deviation of the conduction band shape. We show that at T = 295 K the concentration of heavy electrons in the L-valley of the conduction band is higher than the concentration of light electrons in the Г-valley. On the contrary, at T = 77 K the conduction electrons are mostly concentrated in the Г-valley. Hall data for tellurium doped CZ n-GaSb specimens have been reported. Analysis of experimental data for T = 295 K requires the existence of two types of electrons be taken into account (the light and the heavy ones), the concentrations of which cannot be determined. The apparent increase in the electron concentration with a decrease in the temperature from 295 to 77 K is not true. The concentration of conduction electrons at T = 77 K can be measured correctly with the Hall method.