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.

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 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

A review summarising the current state of research in the field, bridging the gaps in the existing literature. All the chapters are written by world leaders in research and development and guide readers through the details of photo-induced metastability and the results of the latest experiments and simulations not found in standard monographs on this topic. A useful reference not only for graduates but also for scientific and industrial researchers. With a foreword of Kazunobu Tanaka

"Amorphous Chalcogenide Semiconductors and Glasses" describes developments in the science and technology of this class of materials. This book offers an up-to-date treatment of chalcogenide glasses and amorphous semiconductors from basic principles to applications while providing the reader with the necessary theoretical background to understanding the material properties technology of this class of materials. This book offers an up-to-date treatment of chalcogenide glasses and amorphous semiconductors from basic principles to applications while providing the reader with the necessary theoretical background to understanding the material properties. Chalcogenides form a special class of materials, which have one or more of the elements from the chalcogen group, Group VI in the Periodic Table (S, Se. or Te) as a constituent; the chalcogen is mixed with other elements to form various "new" compounds and alloys. Chalcogenides are noncrystalline solids because their structure is "amorphous" or "glassy". Such structures have totally different properties than crystalline solids. Chalcogenide glasses have a number of very interesting and useful properties, which have been already exploited in the commercialization of new devices.

This is a useful textbook for graduate students in the fields of solid state physics and chemistry as well as electronic engineering. Presenting the fundamentals of amorphous semiconductors clearly, it will be essential reading for young scientists intending to develop new preparation techniques for more ideal amorphous semiconductors e.g. a-Si: H, to fabricate stable and efficient solar cells and thin film transistors and new artificial amorphous materials such as multilayers for quantum devices.A large portion is devoted to the latest developments of amorphous semiconductors including electronic properties of a-Si: H, nature of weak bonds and gap states in a-Si: H, mechanisms for light-induced defect creation in a-Si: H and chalcogenides, quantum phenomena in multilayer fi

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.