Maheshwar Sharon

An Introduction to the Physics and Electrochemistry of Semiconductors

Fundamentals and Applications

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This book has been designed as a result of the author's teaching experiences; students in the courses came from various disciplines and it was very difficult to prescribe a suitable textbook, not because there are no books on these topics, but because they are either too exhaustive or very elementary. This book, therefore, includes only relevant topics in the fundamentals of the physics of semiconductors and of electrochemistry needed for understanding the intricacy of the subject of photovoltaic solar cells and photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cells. The book provides the basic concepts of semiconductors, p:n junctions, PEC solar cells, electrochemistry of semiconductors, and photochromism.

Researchers, engineers and students engaged in researching/teaching PEC cells or knowledge of our sun, its energy, and its distribution to the earth will find essential topics such as the physics of semiconductors, the electrochemistry of semiconductors, p:n junctions, Schottky junctions, the concept of Fermi energy, and photochromism and its industrial applications.

"The topics in this book are explained with clear illustration and indispensable terminology. It covers both fundamental and advanced topics in photoelectrochemistry and I believe that the content presented in this monograph will be a resource in the development of both academic and industrial research".
--Professor Akira Fujishima, President, Tokyo University of Science, and Director, Photocatalysis International Research Center, Tokyo University of Science, Japan

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Wiley / Wiley & Sons
• Artikelnr. des Verlages: 1W119274330
• 1. Auflage
• Seitenzahl: 352
• Erscheinungstermin: 19. September 2016
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 231mm x 155mm x 25mm
• Gewicht: 684g
• ISBN-13: 9781119274339
• ISBN-10: 1119274338
• Artikelnr.: 44558161

Autorenporträt

Maheshwar Sharon, (Retd. Professor IIT Bombay) Ph.D. from Leicester University UK, Post-Doctoral Research from Bolton Institute of Technology U.K., is Director of NSN Research Centre for Nanotechnology & Bionanotechnology and Technical Director of Monad Nanotech also Adjunct-Professor University of Mumbai. His specializations are Electrochemistry (Photoelectrochemistry & Battery), Solid State Chemistry (Diffusion & Electrical Properties), Superconductivity, Carbon (fullerenes, nanocarbon, low band gap semiconductor etc) and Energy: Photovoltaic wet & dry Solar Cells. For his contribution to carbon he was awarded "Bangur Award". He has five patents, five books and 173 publications to his credit. He has research collaboration with Chubu University of Japan.

Inhaltsangabe

Foreword xv

Preface xvii

1 Our Universe and the Sun 1

1.1 Formation of the Universe 1

1.2 Formation of Stars 2

1.2.1 Formation of Energy in the Sun 3

1.2.2 Description of the Sun 6

1.2.3 Transfer of Solar Rays through the Ozone Layer 6

1.2.4 Transfer of Solar Layers through Other Layers 7

1.2.5 Effect of Position of the Sun vis-à-vis the Earth 8

1.2.6 Distribution of Solar Energy 8

1.2.7 Solar Intensity Calculation 8

1.3 Summary 12

Reference 12

2 Solar Energy and Its Applications 13

2.1 Introduction to a Semiconductor 14

2.2 Formation of a Compound 14

2.2.1 A Classical Approach 14

2.2.2 Why Call It a Band and Not a Level? 15

2.2.3 Quantum Chemistry Approach 17

2.2.3.1 Wave Nature of an Electron in a Fixed Potential 17

2.2.3.2 Wave Nature of an Electron under a Periodically Changing Potential 19

2.2.3.3 Bloch's Solution to the Wave Function of Electrons under Variable Potentials 20

2.2.3.3 Concept of a Forbidden Gap in a Material 22

2.2.4 Band Model to Explain Conductivity in Solids 25

2.2.4.1 Which of the Total Electrons Will Accept the External Energy for Their Excitation? 26

2.2.4.2 Density of States 28

2.2.4.3 How Do We Find the Numbers of Electrons in These Bands? 29

2.2.5 Useful Deductions 31

2.2.5.1 Extrinsic Semiconductor 33

2.2.5.2 Role of Dopants in the Semiconductor 36

2.3 Quantum Theory Approach to Explain the Effect of Doping 37

2.3.1 A Mathematical Approach to Understanding This Problem 39

2.3.2 Representation of Various Energy Levels in a Semiconductor 40

2.4 Types of Carriers in a Semiconductor 42

2.4.1 Majority and Minority Carriers 42

2.4.2 Direction of Movement of Carriers in a Semiconductor 42

2.5 Nature of Band Gaps in Semiconductors 44

2.6 Can the Band Gap of a Semiconductor Be Changed? 45

2.7 Summary 47

Further Reading 47

3 Theory of Junction Formation 49

3.1 Flow of Carriers across the Junction 49

3.1.1 Why Do Carriers Flow across an Interface When n- and p-Type Semiconductors Are Joined Together with No Air Gap? 49

3.1.2 Does the Vacuum Level Remain Unaltered, and What Is the Significance of Showing a Bend in the Diagram? 52

3.1.3 Why Do We Draw a Horizontal or Exponential Line to Represent the Energy Level in the Semiconductor with a Long Line? 52

3.1.4 What Are the Impacts of Migration of Carriers toward the Interface? 52

3.2 Representing Energy Levels Graphically 54

3.3 Depth of Charge Separation at the Interface of n- and p-Type Semiconductors 56

3.4 Nature of Potential at the Interface 56

3.4.1 Does Any Current Flow through the Interface? 56

3.4.2 Effect of Application of External Potential to the p:n Junction Formed by the Two Semiconductors 58

3.4.2.1 Flow of Carriers from n-Type to p-Type 59

3.4.2.2 Flow of Carriers from p-Type to n-Type 60

3.4.2.3 Flow of Current due to Holes 60

3.4.2.4 Flow of Current due to Electrons 61

3.4.3 What Would Happen If Negative Potential Were Applied to a p-Type Semiconductor? 62

3.4.3.1 Flow of Majority Carriers from p- to n-Type Semiconductors 63

3.4.3.2 Flow of Majority Carriers from n- to p-Type 63

3.4.3.3 Flow of Minority Carrier from p- to n-Type Semiconductors 64

3.4.3.3 Flow of Minority Carriers from n- to p-Type Semiconductors 64

3.5 Expression for Saturation (or Exchange) Curre