Microwave magnetoresistance of compensated p-Ge:Ga in the region of the insulator-metal phase transition

The microwave magnetoresistance (MR) of neutron transmutation doped (moderately compensated) Ge:Ga in the insulator-metal transition region was studied using ESR technique. As the hole concentration increases, the MR mechanism changes in the insulator state near the phase transition point: the hopping conductivity that is characterized by the impurity wave-function contraction by the magnetic field is replaced by the state of weak localization. In the latter case, the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient is of great importance near the transition point (1.2 x 10(17) cm(-3)). This dependence decreases in the metallic state. In the metallic state, the diffusion coefficient is independent of temperature and the MR temperature dependence is described by the dephasing mechanism due to phonon scattering. The electron-electron interaction contribution to the dephasing time should be considered for heavier doping. (C) 2002 MAIK "Nauka / Interperiodica".