Electron thermal waves in submicron semiconductor films

• Published in: Applied surface science 2002-10, Vol.199 (1), p.312-318
• Main Authors: Logvinov, G.N., Gurevich, Y.G., Lashkevich, I.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Conductivity phenomena in semiconductors and insulators; Electronic transport in condensed matter; Exact sciences and technology; Nonelectronic thermal conduction and heat-pulse propagation in solids; thermal waves; Physics; Surface heat capacity; Surface thermal conductivity; Thermal waves; Thermoelectric and thermomagnetic effects; Transport properties of condensed matter (nonelectronic)
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-4332(02)00884-X

Electron thermal waves originated owing to absorption of modulation laser beam are studied in submicron unipolar semiconductor films. We assume that the film’s thickness is much less than the electron cooling length. Thanks to this assumption the thermal waves propagate only in the electron gas, and there are absent in the phonon subsystem. General boundary conditions are obtained for a heat diffusion equation taking into account both the electron surface thermal conductivity and the electron surface heat capacity. The concept of the electron surface heat capacity is introduced for the first time. Complex thermoelectric response to the electron thermal waves is analyzed.