Nonradiative Recombination in Semiconductors


Book Description

In recent years, great progress has been made in the understandingof recombination processes controlling the number of excessfree carriers in semiconductors under nonequilibrium conditions. As a result, it is now possible to give a comprehensivetheoretical description of these processes. The authors haveselected a number of experimental results which elucidate theunderlying physical problems and enable a test of theoreticalmodels.The following topics are dealt with: phenomenological theory ofrecombination, theoretical models of shallow and deep localizedstates, cascade model of carrier capture by impurity centers,capture restricted by diffusion, multiphonon processes, Augerprocesses, effect of electric field on capture and thermalemission of carriers.




Semiconductor Lasers


Book Description

Since its invention in 1962, the semiconductor laser has come a long way. Advances in material purity and epitaxial growth techniques have led to a variety of semiconductor lasers covering a wide wavelength range of 0. 3- 100 ~m. The development during the 1970s of GaAs semiconductor lasers, emitting in the near-infrared region of 0. 8-0. 9 ~m, resulted in their use for the first generation of optical fiber communication systems. However, to take advantage oflow losses in silica fibers occurring around 1. 3 and 1. 55 ~m, the emphasis soon shifted toward long-wavelength semiconductor lasers. The material system of choice in this wavelength range has been the quaternary alloy InGaAsP. During the last five years or so, the intense development effort devoted to InGaAsP lasers has resulted in a technology mature enough that lightwave transmission systems using InGaAsP lasers are currently being deployed throughout the world. This book is intended to provide a comprehensive account of long-wave length semiconductor lasers. Particular attention is paid to InGaAsP lasers, although we also consider semiconductor lasers operating at longer wave lengths. The objective is to provide an up-to-date understanding of semicon ductor lasers while incorporating recent research results that are not yet available in the book form. Although InGaAsP lasers are often used as an example, the basic concepts discussed in this text apply to all semiconductor lasers, irrespective of their wavelengths.




Photovoltaic Solar Energy


Book Description

Solar PV is now the third most important renewable energy source, after hydro and wind power, in terms of global installed capacity. Bringing together the expertise of international PV specialists Photovoltaic Solar Energy: From Fundamentals to Applications provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of existing PV technologies in conjunction with an assessment of technological developments. Key features: Written by leading specialists active in concurrent developments in material sciences, solar cell research and application-driven R&D. Provides a basic knowledge base in light, photons and solar irradiance and basic functional principles of PV. Covers characterization techniques, economics and applications of PV such as silicon, thin-film and hybrid solar cells. Presents a compendium of PV technologies including: crystalline silicon technologies; chalcogenide thin film solar cells; thin-film silicon based PV technologies; organic PV and III-Vs; PV concentrator technologies; space technologies and economics, life-cycle and user aspects of PV technologies. Each chapter presents basic principles and formulas as well as major technological developments in a contemporary context with a look at future developments in this rapidly changing field of science and engineering. Ideal for industrial engineers and scientists beginning careers in PV as well as graduate students undertaking PV research and high-level undergraduate students.




Optical Processes in Semiconductors


Book Description

Comprehensive text and reference covers all phenomena involving light in semiconductors, emphasizing modern applications in semiconductor lasers, electroluminescence, photodetectors, photoconductors, photoemitters, polarization effects, absorption spectroscopy, more. Numerous problems. 339 illustrations.




Optical Semiconductor Devices


Book Description

Eine Einführung in das Gebiet der optoelektronischen pn-Halbleiterbauelemente aus den Blickwinkeln der Materialeigenschaften, der Funktionsprinzipien, der Herstellung und Verpackung, der Zuverlässigkeit und der Anwendung. Das Buch ist für Anfänger gedacht, daher sind die Erläuterungen in geeigneter Weise vereinfacht und theoretische Grundlagen wurden zugunsten anwendungsspezifischer Aspekte zum Teil übersprungen. (12/98)




Applied Nanophotonics


Book Description

An accessible yet rigorous introduction to nanophotonics, covering basic principles, technology, and applications in lighting, lasers, and photovoltaics. Providing a wealth of information on materials and devices, and over 150 color figures, it is the 'go-to' guide for students in electrical engineering taking courses in nanophotonics.




Electronic Noise and Fluctuations in Solids


Book Description

This book looks at the physics of electronic fluctuations (noise) in solids. The author emphasizes many fundamental experiments that have become classics: physical mechanisms of fluctuations, and the nature and magnitude of noise. He also includes the most comprehensive and complete review of flicker (1/f) noise in the literature. It will be useful to graduate students and researchers in physics and electronic engineering, and especially those carrying out research in the fields of noise phenomena and highly sensitive electronic devices--detectors, electronic devices for low-noise amplifiers, and quantum magnetometers (SQUIDS).




Semiconductor Physical Electronics


Book Description

The purpose of this book is to provide the reader with a self-contained treatment of fundamen tal solid state and semiconductor device physics. The material presented in the text is based upon the lecture notes of a one-year graduate course sequence taught by this author for many years in the ·Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Florida. It is intended as an introductory textbook for graduate students in electrical engineering. However, many students from other disciplines and backgrounds such as chemical engineering, materials science, and physics have also taken this course sequence, and will be interested in the material presented herein. This book may also serve as a general reference for device engineers in the semiconductor industry. The present volume covers a wide variety of topics on basic solid state physics and physical principles of various semiconductor devices. The main subjects covered include crystal structures, lattice dynamics, semiconductor statistics, energy band theory, excess carrier phenomena and recombination mechanisms, carrier transport and scattering mechanisms, optical properties, photoelectric effects, metal-semiconductor devices, the p--n junction diode, bipolar junction transistor, MOS devices, photonic devices, quantum effect devices, and high speed III-V semiconductor devices. The text presents a unified and balanced treatment of the physics of semiconductor materials and devices. It is intended to provide physicists and mat erials scientists with more device backgrounds, and device engineers with a broader knowledge of fundamental solid state physics.




Luminescence Spectroscopy of Semiconductors


Book Description

This book reviews up-to-date ideas of how the luminescence radiation in semiconductors originates and how to analyze it experimentally. The book fills a gap between general textbooks on optical properties of solids and specialized monographs on luminescence. It is unique in its coherent treatment of the phenomenon of luminescence from the very introductory definitions, from light emission in bulk crystalline and amorphous materials to the advanced chapters that deal with semiconductor nano objects, including spectroscopy of individual nanocrystals. The theory of radiative recombination channels in semiconductors is considered on a level of intuitive physical understanding rather than rigorous quantum mechanical treatment. The book is based on teaching and written in the style of a graduate text with plenty of tutorial material, illustrations, and problem sets at chapter ends. It is designed predominantly for students in physics, optics, optoelectronics and materials science.




Physics of Solar Cells


Book Description

Peter Würfel describes in detail all aspects of solar cell function, the physics behind every single step, as well as all the issues to be considered when improving solar cells and their efficiency. Based on the highly successful German version, but thoroughly revised and updated, this edition contains the latest knowledge on the mechanisms of solar energy conversion. Requiring no more than standard physics knowledge, it enables readers to understand the factors driving conversion efficiency and to apply this knowledge to their own solar cell development.