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Amorphous Semiconductors: Structure, Optical, and Electrical Properties

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Springer Handbook of Electronic and Photonic Materials

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Abstract

This chapter is devoted to a survey of the structural, optical and electrical properties of amorphous semiconductors on the basis of their fundamental understanding. These properties are important for various types of applications using amorphous semiconductors.

First, we review general aspects of the electronic states and defects in amorphous semiconductors , i. e., a-Si:H and related materials, and chalcogenide glasses, and their structural, optical and electrical properties.

Further, we survey the two types of phenomena associated with amorphous structure, i. e., light-induced phenomena, and quantum phenomena associated with nanosized amorphous structure. The former are important from the viewpoint of amorphous-silicon solar cells. The latter phenomena promise novel applications of amorphous semiconductors from the viewpoint of nanotechnology.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank M. Ichihara, K. Suzuki and M. Yamaguchi, Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Tokyo, for providing us with their unpublished materials (Fig. 24.7a,b). Stimulating and helpful discussions were held with Prof. S. Kugler during the stay of one of us (K.M.) at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, for which K.M. is grateful.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Kazuo Morigaki

  2. Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan

    Chisato Ogihara

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  1. Kazuo Morigaki
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  2. Chisato Ogihara
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Correspondence to Kazuo Morigaki .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

    Safa Kasap

  2. Formerly with Leonardo MW Ltd, Southampton, UK

    Peter Capper

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Morigaki, K., Ogihara, C. (2017). Amorphous Semiconductors: Structure, Optical, and Electrical Properties. In: Kasap, S., Capper, P. (eds) Springer Handbook of Electronic and Photonic Materials. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48933-9_24

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