Anisotropic electronic transport properties in boron carbide films

Boron carbide films combine a large absorption cross-section for thermal neutrons and semiconductor properties making them ideal for portable, lightweight solid-state neutron detectors. Most basic sciences studies and device architectures have focused on diodes, current perpendicular to plane geometry, and DC detection schemes. In this talk, I will show that the presumed isotropic electronic transport in boron carbide films fades with increasing frequency. AC electronic transport measurements in the kHz regime revealed a sizable anisotropy and inhomogeneity in both out-of-plane and in-plane geometry that hints at a structural/chemical inhomogeneity, which could be exploited for directional charge flow.