The Patch Effect of Crystal Rectifiers

Abstract

The complex plane impedance diagram of crystal rectifiers were usually analysed as a circle. The observed results on cuprous oxide rectifiers deviated considerably from a circle. To analyse the results, the writers used the series resistance, R_s, of the bulk part of Cu₂O derived from static current-voltage characteristics. Then, Z−R_s=Z_l gave the impedance of blocking layer, and Y_l=1⁄Z_lr its admittance. Denoting, the zero frequency conductance by Y_l0, and putting Y_l−Y_l0=G+iωC, dispersion of G and C was defined experimentally, at various biases and temperatures. A patch theory of the blocking layer proposed to explain the dispersion agrees with the observed results quantitatively.