Theory of Transverse Extension of Gunn Domains

A theory describing the growth of Gunn domains transverse to their direction of travel is developed. This theory is based on a model in which the dipole moment of a domain causes the field immediately adjacent to its lateral edge to exceed the negative resistance threshold. As the dipole moment begins to build up there, it causes the field farther along the lateral dimension to exceed threshold. From this model the velocity of transverse domain growth can be calculated as a function of the bias field and the maximum domain field. The calculated values of about 108 cm·sec−1 are in reasonable agreement with available experimental data.