The effects of several metals on L, in GaAs and GaAs0.6Po.4 have been evaluated. Diffusion of Co at 700~ for 5 rain into VPE n-GaAs0.6Po.4 is found to produce a considerable reduction of Lp. Lesser degradation is caused by Ni, whereas Cu, Cd, and Zn improve L,. In VPE n-GaAs, diffusions of Co, Cu, W, and Cd improve Lp. These improvements are believed to be caused by gettering of lifetime killing deep impurities, such as Co and Ni, by shallow diffused junctions. The metals that degrade LD appear to be ones with small tetrahedral covalent radii.