Observation of Propagating Domain in Semiconductive CdS Using the Optical Probe Method

The optical modulation has been observed in semiconductive CdS single crystals at room temperature by means of the optical probe method using a monochromatic light. The light transmitted through materials with a wavelength corresponding to the intrinsic absorption edge was strongly modulated. The optical modulation observed here is caused primarily by the acoustic flux rather than by the high electric field in the domain. The acoustic domain arrives at its full growth near the point 2 mm from the cathode and travels towards the anode. The aspect of the acoustic domain is subjected to the variation by the strength of the applied electric field, and the domain velocity varies from 2.2×105 cm/sec to 3.0×105 cm/sec according to the increasing applied electric field up to 3040 V/cm.