Experimental and phenomenological study of persistent photoconductivity in YBa2Cu3O6 thin films

Author

Daniel-Dennis McAlevy Bubb, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

Fall 1-31-2000

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Physics - (Ph.D.)

Department

Federated Physics Department

First Advisor

John Francis Federici

Second Advisor

John Charles Hensel

Third Advisor

Earl David Shaw

Fourth Advisor

Gordon A. Thomas

Fifth Advisor

William Wilber

Sixth Advisor

William Savin

Abstract

Persistent Photoconductivity in YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x thin films is studied by means of infrared photoconductivity measurements after the films have been illuminated with visible light at low temperature. Experimentally, the effect is characterized by the samples' electrical response to infrared light, either causing the resistance to decrease or increase.

A cellular automata model is proposed in explanation of these results and is shown to be consistent with current experimental understanding of this unusual effect, both our results and those of others. The cellular automata model may have application to other unusual optical phenomena exhibited by YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x such as resonant Raman scattering.

Recommended Citation

Bubb, Daniel-Dennis McAlevy, "Experimental and phenomenological study of persistent photoconductivity in YBa2Cu3O6 thin films" (2000). Dissertations. 440.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/440