Photocurrent spectra of semi-insulating GaAs M-S-M diodes: Role of the contacts

Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and photocurrent (PC) spectra (600-1000 nm) of the metal-semiconductor-metal (M-S-M) structures based on high-quality undoped semi-insulating (SI) GaAs with AuGeNi backside contact and different semitransparent top contacts (AuGeNi, Pt, Gd and Nd) are reported, and analysed with the help of a simple physical model. It is shown that the dominant peak in the PC spectra and the change of photocurrent sign can be explained by a presence of two Schottky-like barriers at the top and bottom surfaces. In addition, I-V and PC results show dependence on the bias and its polarity, and on the contact metal used. The possible origins of these effects are discussed.