Self-consistent calibration of photoluminescence and photoconductance lifetime measurements

An experimental method is introduced by which relative photoluminescence or photoconductance signals can be converted into an absolute excess carrier concentration. This method is demonstrated by comparison of self-consistently calibrated quasi-steady-state photoluminescence measurements with transient photoluminescence and with transient and quasi-steady-state photoconductance measurements on silicon samples. The method simplifies photoluminescence lifetime measurements and the recently introduced Suns-photoluminescence technique as it allows these techniques to be used in a self-contained way, without the previous requirement for a separate experimental technique for calibration. Important experimental observations regarding photoconductance lifetime measurements are also discussed. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.