Narrow gap semiconductors are the most important materials for the preparation of advanced modern infrared systems. They often operate at the extremes of the rules of semiconductor science. This book offers clear descriptions of crystal growth and the fundamental structure and properties of these unique materials. Topics covered include band structure, optical and transport properties, and lattice vibrations and spectra. A thorough treatment of the properties of low-dimensional systems and their relation to infrared applications is provided.

Proceedings of the International Summer School, held in Nimes, France, September, 3-15, 1979

In this monograph, investigations of the performance of narrow-gap semiconductor photodiodes are presented, and recent progress in different IR photodiode technologies is discussed: HgCdTe photodiodes, InSb photodiodes, alternatives to HgCdTe III-V and II-VI ternary alloy photodiodes, lead chalcogenide photodiodes, and a new class of photodiodes based on two-dimensional solids. Investigations of the performance of photodiodes operated in different spectral regions are presented.

Narrow gap semiconductors obey the general rules of semiconductor science, but often exhibit extreme features of these rules because of the same properties that produce their narrow gaps. Consequently these materials provide sensitive tests of theory, and the opportunity for the design of innovative devices. Narrow gap semiconductors are the most important materials for the preparation of advanced modern infrared systems. Device Physics of Narrow Gap Semiconductors, a forthcoming second book, offers descriptions of the materials science and device physics of these unique materials. Topics covered include impurities and defects, recombination mechanisms, surface and interface properties, and the properties of low dimensional systems for infrared applications. This book will help readers to understand not only semiconductor physics and materials science, but also how they relate to advanced opto-electronic devices. The final chapter describes the device physics of photoconductive detectors, photovoltaic infrared detectors, super lattices and quantum wells, infrared lasers, and single photon infrared detectors.

A presentation of the peculiarities of the physical properties of a comparatively new class of solids. GSs are of practical interest since they are very sensitive to impurities, and to the influence of light, magnetic and electric fields, and to pressure.