The influence of ambient gases on pulse conduction of plasma-polymerized ethylene thin films

Electrical conduction in plasma-polymerized ethylene films with Au or Al electrodes was measured in various kinds of atmospheres. In the case of Al electrodes, the current measured in air manifests a larger value than that in a vacuum. In addition, the current measured in oxygen is about ten times as large as that in nitrogen or in a vacuum. In the case of Au electrodes, however, the current was not influenced by the atmosphere. The mechanism responsible for the electrical conduction is discussed in terms of Schottky injection from the electrode