A simple model is studied describing low-temperature free-carrier dynamics in extrinsic photoconductors due to capture by impurity atoms and impact ionization. Numerical results are presented which exhibit period doubling, chaotic behavior, and elevated effective noise temperatures. Photoconductor properties necessary for chaotic behavior are discussed.

• Received 14 September 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.53.2587