This volume will contain contributions from researchers who have been associated with Professor Leite's long career in science and science management. After an extremely successful career as a research physicist at Bell Labs, Professor Leite returned to Brazil, where he was instrumental in founding the Institute of Physics of the State University of Campinas. His record in research and scientific leadership, together with his concern with social issues related to Science and Technology, has made him one of the most respected voices of the Brazilian scientific community.The contributions in this volume are centered around Optical Properties of Condensed Matter. However, given the broad spectrum of Professor Leite's activities, it is natural that some authors have contributed papers on other fields.

This is the first book to explain, illustrate, and compare the most widely used methods in optics: photoluminescence, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman scattering. Written with non-experts in mind, the book develops the background needed to understand the why and how of each technique, but does not require special knowledge of semiconductors or optics. Each method is illustrated with numerous case studies. Practical information drawn from the authors experience is given to help establish optical facilities, including commercial sources for equipment, and experimental details. For industrial scientists with specific problems in semiconducting materials; for academic scientists who wish to apply their spectroscopic methods to characterization problems; and for students in solid state physics, materials science and engineering, and semiconductor electronics and photonics, this book provides a unique overview, bringing together these valuable techniques in a coherent wayfor the first time.Discusses and compares infrared, Raman, and photoluminescence methodsEnables readers to choose the best method for a given problemIllustrates applications to help non-experts and industrial users, with answers to selected common problemsPresents fundamentals with examples from the semiconductor literature without excessive abstract discussionFeatures equipment lists and discussion of techniques to help establish characterization laboratories