Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
GaN and All-xGaxN films were grown by the method of ECR-MBE. Absorption constants as a function of wavelength were determined from transmission measurements. Photoconducting detectors were fabricated from these films and characterized in terms of their spectral response and photoconductive gain. Mobility-lifetime products were determined from the measurement of photoconductive gain. The resistivity and mobility-lifetime products of the films were varied from 10-109 ohm-cm and 10-3 -10-8 cm2/V respectively by changing the microwave power in the ECR discharge from 20-60 watts. The change in the mobility-lifetime product is attributed to change in the lifetimes of the photogenerated carriers. This assumption is supported by direct measurement of detector response times. Finally, we report for the first time, the detection of alpha particles using GaN detectors.