Quantum Size Effects in Semimetals and Semiconductors


Book Description

The basic facilities for the thin film compound semiconductor program have been developed. Results were obtained in the areas of transport properties of bismuth and indium antimonide films, the theory of quantum size effects, insulating barriers with InSb devices, and optical constants of InSb films. (Author).




Size Effects on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Thin Films


Book Description

When electrical voltage is applied across a dielectric film, a very small amount of leakage current is measured across the material. The amount of leakage current increases with the increase of applied electrical field. As applied electrical field is increased gradually, the material fails at some point, which is known as the "breakdown" of the dielectric material. In this research work, it has been shown that mechanical stress alone can influence the amount of leakage current of the material, even though the applied electrical field is kept same throughout the process. This behavior is ascribed to the de-trapping of electrons under mechanical strain. This dissertation showed experimental evidence of length scale induced coupling between thermal, mechanical and electrical domains. The technological aspect of this research impacts micro and opto electronics, energy conversion, sensors and actuators and in general, nanotechnology applications. However, it is also very fundamental in nature, and the new phenomena that are explored will enrich knowledge of material behavior and lay foundation for the future work on multi-physics of material at nano scale.




Nanoscale Phenomena in Ferroelectric Thin Films


Book Description

This book presents the recent advances in the field of nanoscale science and engineering of ferroelectric thin films. It comprises two main parts, i.e. electrical characterization in nanoscale ferroelectric capacitor, and nano domain manipulation and visualization in ferroelectric materials. Well known le'adingexperts both in relevant academia and industry over the world (U.S., Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Korea) were invited to contribute to each chapter. The first part under the title of electrical characterization in nanoscale ferroelectric capacitors starts with Chapter 1, "Testing and characterization of ferroelectric thin film capacitors," written by Dr. I. K. Yoo. The author provides a comprehensive review on basic concepts and terminologies of ferroelectric properties and their testing methods. This chapter also covers reliability issues in FeRAMs that are crucial for commercialization of high density memory products. In Chapter 2, "Size effects in ferroelectric film capacitors: role ofthe film thickness and capacitor size," Dr. I. Stolichnov discusses the size effects both in in-plane and out-of-plane dimensions of the ferroelectric thin film. The author successfully relates the electric performance and domain dynamics with proposed models of charge injection and stress induced phase transition. The author's findings present both a challenging problem and the clue to its solution of reliably predicting the switching properties for ultra-thin ferroelectric capacitors. In Chapter 3, "Ferroelectric thin films for memory applications: nanoscale characterization by scanning force microscopy," Prof. A.




Metals Abstracts


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Physics Briefs


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