INORGANIC MATERIALS, vol.45, pp.723-727, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
The time-dependent conductivity of nominally undoped and rare-earth-doped (N (R)a parts per thousand integral 10(-5) to 10(-1) at % Gd, Dy, or Ho) high-resistivity gallium selenide crystals has been measured under various conditions. At a relatively low applied voltage and T a parts per thousand currency sign 150 K, the conductivity of the crystals reaches a steady-state value rather slowly. When a voltage above a certain threshold is applied for a long time at T a parts per thousand currency sign 300 K, the material exhibits electric fatigue. An energy-band model is proposed which provides qualitative explanation of the results.