User: muz64

Re:APDs

On: Avalanche Effect Demonstrated In Solar Cells

Avalanche photodiodes of certain semiconductor materials have been around for a while now. I believe the novel part of this research is that they're confirming other researchers' data showing that lead selenide semiconductors can exhibit electron cascade effects. I agree. What I'd like to see them explain is how not to violate the 2nd law of thermodynamics. To create the ideal environment for avalanche to occur requires all those electrons to be energised to a higher state in an electric field of about 40MV/m - where's this energy coming from?