The Possible Existence of the Interference Photomagnetoelectric Effect

Abstract

The theory of the PME effect is extended to the case of a thin sample in which the interference of the radiation reflected from the sample surfaces can be marked. The obtained results suggest the possible existence of a so‐called interference photomagnetoelectric effect. The new, additional PME mechanism should be useful in optimization of the infrared PME detectors. It should also give the possibility of carrying out an electric method of measuring refractive indexes of semiconductors. As an example the dependences of the PME effect on sample thickness and wavelength of radiation are calculated for InSb.

The photomagnetoelectric effect and photoconductivity for non-normal incidence of radiation

“…Such dependences were observed in some experiments, e.g. see references in [ 2 ] . I n [3] the usefulness of the interference PME effect for optimization of the thin-film PEM (PME) detectors for infrared radiation was presented.…”

“…[ll] and references in [ 2 ] . The periods of these oscillations are equal to those predicted by the present theory, e.g.…”

“…Expression (1) describes the general dependence of the radiation intensity in the sample on the distance from the illuminated sample surface, polarization, and angle of incidence of radiation. If we take into consideration only the case of normal incidence of radiation, then (1) is reduced to the expression presented in [2]. For negligible reflection of radiation in the sample (r, < 1) (1) is adequate to the expression used in [ l ] for the case of a very thin, non-absorbing film on a sample, surface.…”

“…The theoretical and experimental investigations were restricted to the case of thick samples in which the internal reflection of radiation from the back samples surface was negligible. In [ 2 ] the theory of the PME effect was extended to the case of a thin sample in which the interference of radiation reflected from the sample surfaces can be marked. The obtained results suggested the possible existence of a so-called interference photomagnetoelectric effect.…”