This book provides introductory, comprehensive, and concise descriptions of amorphous chalcogenide semiconductors and related materials. It includes comparative portraits of the chalcogenide and related materials including amorphous hydrogenated Si, oxide and halide glasses, and organic polymers. It also describes effects of non-equilibrium disorder, in comparison with those in crystalline semiconductors.

Amorphous chalcogenide semiconductors have commercial value and have many uses such as image formation, including x-rays, and high-definition TV pick up tubes. They have widespread application in the microelectronics industry and amorphous metallic alloys also have useful magnetic properties. This book focuses on their imaging applications and related properties. It examines the two groups of amorphous semiconductors that are of most commercial interest: the chalcogenide glasses the tetrahedrally bonded amorphous solids such as amorphous silicon, germanium and related alloys Both of these groups may be conveniently prepared in the form of thin/thick films which is of considerable importance in applications where large-area coverage of flat or curved surfaces of rigid or flexible materials is desirable such as in photovoltaic arrays, X-Ray sensors, display screens and photocopier drums. Provides information on the amorphous semiconductors that are of most commercial interest Presents the history of the commercial applications, the latest developments and future possibilities

Landmark contributions to science and mechanisms for the origin of the phenomena, and technology are rarely recognized at the time of reached important conclusions about the physical publication. Few people, even in technical areas, nature of the materials at equilibrium and their recogni zed the importance of developments such as electronic nonequilibrium properties. Many of these the transistor, the laser, or electrophotography ideas were condensed into a publication for Physical until well after their successful demonstration. Review Letters, paper 1 in this collection. This So-called experts, in fact, tend to resist new paper immediately attracted attention to the field, inventions, a natural instinct based on a combina and directly lead to the initiation of large research tion of fear of obsolescent expertise and jealousy efforts at both industrial laboratories and univer- arising from lack of active participation in the ties throughout the world. Inevitably, there was discovery. the usual amount of controversy, with many experts Denigration of new ideas is a relatively simultaneously taking positions (2) and (3) above. safe modus operandi, since the vast majority It has now been well over 20 years since eventually are abandoned well short of commerciality. the original publication date, and an objective view However, a successful device can be identified by can be taken in hindsight.

Understanding the structural unit of crystalline solids is vital in determining their optical and electronic properties. However, the disordered nature of amorphous semiconductors, where no long-range order is retained, makes it difficult to determine their structure using traditional methods. This book shows how computer modelling can be used to overcome the difficulties that arise in the atomic scale identification of amorphous semiconductors. The book explains how to generate a random structure using computer modelling, providing readers with the techniques to construct realistic material structures. It shows how the optical and electronic properties are related to random structures. Readers will be able to understand the characteristic features of disordered semiconductors. The structural and electronic modifications by photon irradiation are also discussed in detail. This book is ideal for both physicists and engineers working in solid state physics, semiconductor engineering and electrical engineering.

This book presents experimental results on the structural and electronic metastable states in Se-rich chalcogenides. Coverage includes states in the mobility gap, structural transformation, photocrystallization, and many potential related applications.

Amorphous semiconductors are subtances in the amorphous solid state that have the properties of a semiconductor and which are either covalent or tetrahedrally bonded amorphous semiconductors or chelcogenide glasses. Developed from both a theoretical and experimental viewpoint Deals with, amongst others, preparation techniques, structural, optical and electronic properties, and light induced phenomena Explores different types of amorphous semiconductors including amorphous silicon, amorphous semiconducting oxides and chalcogenide glasses Applications include solar cells, thin film transistors, sensors, optical memory devices and flat screen devices including televisions

This comprehensive, detailed treatise on the physics and applications of the new emerging technology of amorphous semiconductors focuses on specific device research problems such as the optimization of device performance. The first part of the book presents hydrogenated amorphous silicon type alloys, whose applications include inexpensive solar cells, thin film transistors, image scanners, electrophotography, optical recording and gas sensors. The second part of the book discusses amorphous chalcogenides, whose applications include electrophotography, switching, and memory elements. This book will serve as an excellent reference source for solid state scientists and engineers, and as a useful self-contained introduction to the field for graduate students.