PHOTOCURRENT OSCILLATIONS IN THE CDTE ELECTROLYTE SYSTEMS

Photocurrent oscillations have been observed at an n-type CdTe semiconductor electrode in a cesium sulfide solution. Measurements were performed under potentiostatic conditions in a closed cell, at constant temperature and light intensity. The dependence of the oscillations on these parameters is reported. We have observed them to be different from the typical behavior of semiconductor electrodes. The most striking is the nonlinear behavior as a function of light intensity. A comparison to other related systems (CdS, CdSe) and solution compositions was performed. The oscillating behavior lasts for about 2 h and may be explained by the existence of a Te layer of variable width.