Electron trapping at positively charged centers in SiO₂

Evidence is presented which indicates that positive oxide charge centers in thin films of thermally grown silicon dioxide are electron traps with an average capture cross section of 3±2×10-13 cm 2 at room temperature and at an average oxide field of about 7×105 V/cm. Positive charge centers of other origins are also expected to be electron traps with about the same capture cross section.