This invaluable book is devoted to the physics, technology and device applications of semiconductor structures with ultrathin layers where the electronic properties are governed by the quantum-mechanical laws. Such structures called quantum wells or structures with the two-dimensional electron gas, have become one of the most actively investigated objects in modern solid state physics. Electronic properties of quantum wells differ dramatically from those of bulk semiconductors, which allows one to observe new types of physical phenomena, such as the quantum Hall effect and many other so-far-unknown kinetic and optical effects. This, in turn, offers wide opportunities for creating semiconductor devices based on new principles, and it has give birth to the new branch of electronics called nanoelectronics.

Semiconductors are at the heart of modern living. Almost everything we do, be it work, travel, communication, or entertainment, all depend on some feature of semiconductor technology. Comprehensive Semiconductor Science and Technology, Six Volume Set captures the breadth of this important field, and presents it in a single source to the large audience who study, make, and exploit semiconductors. Previous attempts at this achievement have been abbreviated, and have omitted important topics. Written and Edited by a truly international team of experts, this work delivers an objective yet cohesive global review of the semiconductor world. The work is divided into three sections. The first section is concerned with the fundamental physics of semiconductors, showing how the electronic features and the lattice dynamics change drastically when systems vary from bulk to a low-dimensional structure and further to a nanometer size. Throughout this section there is an emphasis on the full understanding of the underlying physics. The second section deals largely with the transformation of the conceptual framework of solid state physics into devices and systems which require the growth of extremely high purity, nearly defect-free bulk and epitaxial materials. The last section is devoted to exploitation of the knowledge described in the previous sections to highlight the spectrum of devices we see all around us. Provides a comprehensive global picture of the semiconductor world Each of the work's three sections presents a complete description of one aspect of the whole Written and Edited by a truly international team of experts

This handbook opens with an overview of solar radiation and how its energy can be tapped using photovoltaic cells. Other chapters cover the technology, manufacture and application of PV cells in real situations. The book ends by exploring the economic and business aspects of PV systems.