Symmetry and symmetry breaking in a class of solutions of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation

Symmetry in the charge distribution and internal field in an extrinsic semiconductor sphere immersed in an originally uniform electric field ceases to be sustained at high field intensities. Governed by the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, these distribution functions are studied for their field dependence and implications on the polarizabilities of a sphere and a pair of spheres made of semiconductor. The potential of the nonlinear response in the polarization for realization of new devices in the Terahertz frequency range are discussed.