Optical and Transport Properties of Metallic and Semiconductor Nanostructures


Book Description

This technical performance report covers the FY-94 period. The principal investigator studied theoretically the optoelectronic properties of quantum wire and dot systems. These studies included lateral quantization in barrier--modulated wires, optical absorption by dots, and electron-phonon coupling in wells, wires, and dots. Semiconductor, Nanostructure, Electron, Optical phonon.




Theory of Transport Properties of Semiconductor Nanostructures


Book Description

Recent advances in the fabrication of semiconductors have created almost un limited possibilities to design structures on a nanometre scale with extraordinary electronic and optoelectronic properties. The theoretical understanding of elec trical transport in such nanostructures is of utmost importance for future device applications. This represents a challenging issue of today's basic research since it requires advanced theoretical techniques to cope with the quantum limit of charge transport, ultrafast carrier dynamics and strongly nonlinear high-field ef fects. This book, which appears in the electronic materials series, presents an over view of the theoretical background and recent developments in the theory of electrical transport in semiconductor nanostructures. It contains 11 chapters which are written by experts in their fields. Starting with a tutorial introduction to the subject in Chapter 1, it proceeds to present different approaches to transport theory. The semiclassical Boltzmann transport equation is in the centre of the next three chapters. Hydrodynamic moment equations (Chapter 2), Monte Carlo techniques (Chapter 3) and the cellular au tomaton approach (Chapter 4) are introduced and illustrated with applications to nanometre structures and device simulation. A full quantum-transport theory covering the Kubo formalism and nonequilibrium Green's functions (Chapter 5) as well as the density matrix theory (Chapter 6) is then presented.




Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals


Book Description

The vast technological potential of nanocrystalline materials, as well as current intense interest in the physics and chemistry of nanoscale phenomena, has led to explosive growth in research on semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as nanocrystal quantum dots, and metal nanoparticles. Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals addresses current topics impacting the field including synthesis and assembly of nanocrystals, theory and spectroscopy of interband and intraband optical transitions, single-nanocrystal optical and tunneling spectroscopies, electrical transport in nanocrystal assemblies, and physical and engineering aspects of nanocrystal-based devices. Written by experts who have contributed pioneering research, this reference comprises key advances in the field of semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots and metal nanoparticles over the past several years. Focusing specifically on nanocrystals generated through chemical techniques, Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals Merges investigative frontiers in physics, chemistry, and engineering Documents advances in nanocrystal synthesis and assembly Explores the theory of electronic excitations in nanoscale particles Presents comprehensive information on optical spectroscopy of interband and intraband optical transitions Reviews data on single-nanocrystal optical and tunneling spectroscopies Weighs controversies related to carrier relaxation dynamics in ultrasmall nanoparticles Discusses charge carrier transport in nanocrystal assemblies Provides examples of lasing and photovoltaic nanocrystal-based devices Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals is a must read for scientists, engineers, and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students interested in the physics and chemistry of nanoscale semiconductor and metal particles, as well as general nanoscale science.




Optical Properties of Semiconductor Nanostructures


Book Description

Optical methods for investigating semiconductors and the theoretical description of optical processes have always been an important part of semiconductor physics. Only the emphasis placed on different materials changes with time. Here, a large number of papers are devoted to quantum dots, presenting the theory, spectroscopic investigation and methods of producing such structures. Another major part of the book reflects the growing interest in diluted semiconductors and II-IV nanosystems in general. There are also discussions of the fascinating field of photonic crystals. `Classical' low dimensional systems, such as GsAs/GaAlAs quantum wells and heterostructures, still make up a significant part of the results presented, and they also serve as model systems for new phenomena. New materials are being sought, and new experimental techniques are coming on stream, in particular the combination of different spectroscopic modalities.




Plasmonic Effects in Metal-semiconductor Nanostructures


Book Description

One of the most promising trends in modern nanophotonics is the employment of plasmonic effects in the engineering of advanced device nanostructures. This book implements the binocular vision of such a complex metal-semiconductor system, examining both the constituents and reviewing the characteristics of promising constructive materials.




Semiconductor Nanostructures


Book Description

Reducing the size of a coherently grown semiconductor cluster in all three directions of space to a value below the de Broglie wavelength of a charge carrier leads to complete quantization of the energy levels, density of states, etc. Such “quantum dots” are more similar to giant atoms in a dielectric cage than to classical solids or semiconductors showing a dispersion of energy as a function of wavevector. Their electronic and optical properties depend strongly on their size and shape, i.e. on their geometry. By designing the geometry by controlling the growth of QDs, absolutely novel possibilities for material design leading to novel devices are opened. This multiauthor book written by world-wide recognized leaders of their particular fields and edited by the recipient of the Max-Born Award and Medal 2006 Professor Dieter Bimberg reports on the state of the art of the growing of quantum dots, the theory of self-organised growth, the theory of electronic and excitonic states, optical properties and transport in a variety of materials. It covers the subject from the early work beginning of the 1990s up to 2006. The topics addressed in the book are the focus of research in all leading semiconductor and optoelectronic device laboratories of the world.




Nanowires and Nanobelts


Book Description

Volume 1, Metal and Semiconductor Nanowires covers a wide range of materials systems, from noble metals (such as Au, Ag, Cu), single element semiconductors (such as Si and Ge), compound semiconductors (such as InP, CdS and GaAs as well as heterostructures), nitrides (such as GaN and Si3N4) to carbides (such as SiC). The objective of this volume is to cover the synthesis, properties and device applications of nanowires based on metal and semiconductor materials. The volume starts with a review on novel electronic and optical nanodevices, nanosensors and logic circuits that have been built using individual nanowires as building blocks. Then, the theoretical background for electrical properties and mechanical properties of nanowires is given. The molecular nanowires, their quantized conductance, and metallic nanowires synthesized by chemical technique will be introduced next. Finally, the volume covers the synthesis and properties of semiconductor and nitrides nanowires.




Semiconductor Nanocrystals and Metal Nanoparticles


Book Description

Semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles are the building blocks of the next generation of electronic, optoelectronic, and photonic devices. Covering this rapidly developing and interdisciplinary field, the book examines in detail the physical properties and device applications of semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles. It begins with a review of the synthesis and characterization of various semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles and goes on to discuss in detail their optical, light emission, and electrical properties. It then illustrates some exciting applications of nanoelectronic devices (memristors and single-electron devices) and optoelectronic devices (UV detectors, quantum dot lasers, and solar cells), as well as other applications (gas sensors and metallic nanopastes for power electronics packaging). Focuses on a new class of materials that exhibit fascinating physical properties and have many exciting device applications. Presents an overview of synthesis strategies and characterization techniques for various semiconductor nanocrystal and metal nanoparticles. Examines in detail the optical/optoelectronic properties, light emission properties, and electrical properties of semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles. Reviews applications in nanoelectronic devices, optoelectronic devices, and photonic devices.




Optical Properties And Spectroscopy Of Nanomaterials


Book Description

Optical properties are among the most fascinating and useful properties of nanomaterials and have been extensively studied using a variety of optical spectroscopic techniques. A basic understanding of the optical properties and related spectroscopic techniques is essential for anyone who is interested in learning about nanomaterials of semiconductors, insulators or metal. This is partly because optical properties are intimately related to other properties and functionalities (e.g. electronic, magnetic, and thermal) that are of fundamental importance to many technological applications, such as energy conversion, chemical analysis, biomedicine, optoelectronics, communication, and radiation detection.Intentionally designed for upper-level undergraduate students and beginning graduate students with some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics, this book provides the first systematic coverage of optical properties and spectroscopic techniques of nanomaterials.