The conduction current in a metal-insulator-metal structure

The flow of the conduction current in a metal-insulator-metal structure under X-ray and optical excitation is considered. Accumulation of positive charge at the negative electrode in the KBr and CsI crystals is studied. The method of discharge currents after the X-ray and optical excitation is suggested for estimation of the near-surface charge. It is shown that the values of charge transported by the conduction current and those determined from the measured discharge-current signal are in satisfactory agreement. The lifetimes of near-surface charges of holes and anionic vacancies and the values of the electric-field strength at the metal-insulator interface are estimated. It is assumed that electroneutrality of the sample is established owing to the motion of electrons from the surface into the bulk over dislocations.