In Gurney-Mott Theory, who is the first to be trapped?

In Gurney-Mott Theory, which describes the process of photoconductivity and the impact of light on semiconductors and photographic materials, electrons are the first to be trapped. The theory outlines how, upon exposure to light, photons can excite electrons from their bound states into higher energy levels, creating free electrons and holes.

When these electrons are generated, they can move freely within the material, and if the conditions are right, they may become trapped in imperfection sites or local energy minima within the material, such as defect states. This trapping of electrons is crucial because it contributes to the formation of latent images in photographic films, where the trapped electrons become associated with silver halide crystals, leading to the eventual development.

Thus, in the context of Gurney-Mott Theory, the electron's behavior upon excitation and its subsequent trapping is a foundational aspect that explains the mechanism behind the formation of images in photographic processes. This makes it clear why electrons are identified as the first entities to become trapped according to the theory.