Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 July 2004
The defects in InP epitaxial structures (containing in part Pt nanoparticles) and SiGe/Si heterostructures, and their electrical behaviour are studied. In InP structures pinholes, in SiGe/Si structures misfit dislocations were observed in the epitaxial layers. These defects yielded different anomalies of the electrical behaviour, as excess and leakage currents, instabilities, anomalous temperature dependence and anomalous apparent barrier height. It is shown that inspite of anomalies, the electrical measurements provide useful and reliable information about the structures.