Wide band gap semiconductors and insulators : synthesis, processing and characterization

Graduation date: 2008The work presented here is focused on applying basic principles of solid-state chemistry to the study and development of new wide band-gap semiconductors and insulators for photovoltaic and electronic-device applications. Analysis of crystal structure, band structure, optical band gap, morphology and transport properties provides fundamental insight into materials performance as well as determining potential applications. Efforts on the study and development of wide band-gap semiconductors with emphasis on absorber layers and window layers for multijunction solar cells are presented in chapters 2-6. A new process for solution-deposited and composition control of insulating oxide films is presented in chapters 7 and 8